Is it so difficult to issue a licence for a radio station that the cabinet had approved four years ago?

Former minister Napsiah Omar (BN-Kuala Pilah) told the Dewan Rakyat today that the Women's Radio Station had been planned to be the first of its kind in Asia.

Unfortunately, India has since beaten Malaysia to it.

Speaking to malaysiakini in the Parliament lobby later, she said: "I understand that the necessary preparations have been made, from the studio to the sponsors, and everything is ready.

"(The project) is just waiting for the licence. Women have been waiting for four years for this."

Why not one more?

As much as RM18 million had been collected from sponsors, and more was certain to be obtained because of the advertising potential of such a radio station, she said.

"Imagine how many advertisers would be willing to pay for commercials, knowing that mothers are listening in, mothers who decide which infant and children's products to buy, women who are consumers of cosmetics and toiletries. The possibilities are vast," she said.

"Nine radio licenses have already been issued in Malaysia. Why can't one more licence be issued?"

Napsiah will have to wait until next week to find out, when the relevant ministers are scheduled to respond to queries raised during the debate on Budget 2004.