The playing field for all parties is almost level now, especially with the emergence of new media, social websites, web television and radio.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Koh Tsu Koon said in terms of access to the media, the playing field was almost level, especially with the new media and high penetration rate of Internet users in Malaysia.

“It means there is no boundary, no restriction. Even in the printed media, there are complaints from Barisan Nasional that they are not getting enough coverage,” he told reporters after presenting a RM300,000 cheque from the Prime Minister’s Department to the Penang Fo Yi Haemodialysis Society in George Town today.

Koh was responding to a proposal by non-governmental organisations including election reforms pressure group Bersih, to the parliamentary select committee (PSC), for a free and fair access to all parties in the media.

azlan He said the current media was different compared with the last 10 years, especially with the new media, adding that people can comment freely on social websites like Facebook .

Asked to comment on Gerakan’s candidates list for the upcoming general election, Koh said the party was still in the process of finalising and reassessing the potential candidates.

He said the candidates must have a combination of commitment, capability and winnable attributes, adding that they have to work harder as this year’s election would be more challenging than 2008.

On new candidates to replace the veterans, Koh said commitment and wishes of the candidates are most important than age, adding that opposition parties also have veterans who are more than 70 years old, still playing an important role.

Koh is still keeping mum on his senatorship which expires today, adding that it was not proper for him to comment on the term as the announcement would be out tomorrow.

“I will issue a statement tomorrow after it is announced,” he added.

- Bernama