More space, facilities for the media at Parliament
Journalists covering the Parliament proceedings in the next sitting can do their job in a more spacious and accident-free environment.
Journalists covering the Parliament proceedings in the next sitting can do their job in a more spacious and accident-free environment.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz assured journalists that the entire ground floor lobby of the temporary Parliament building will be utilised for the convenience of journalists.
Nazri (
right
) said he will work with the administrators to work out a floor plan to include workstations, extra sofas and electrical plug points, as requested for in a memorandum submitted by the Parliament Media Personnel Action Committee.
Last week, Malaysiakini reporter Hazlan Zakaria had documented the poor working conditions as a disaster in the making after having to work in a cramped and congested space for the past eight months.
Reporters sit cross-legged on the floor with their laptops among tangles of wires while early birds get to squeeze onto the few couches as they follow the MPs’ debate in the Dewan Rakyat through a live telecast.
Upon receiving unanimous nod from media personnel, including videographers and photographers, from the mainstream and alternative platforms, Hazlan, the action committee's spokesperson, had submitted the memorandum to Nazri today.
“I also noticed everyone seated on the floor but I was not sure if that was out of personal preference,” Nazri quipped.
He added that civil servants who currently share the ground floor with journalists will be ordered to operate from the second floor of the building.
“The second floor was for the MPs to use but I noticed that no one really does. So the ministry staff can work from there,” said Nazri at a press conference at the Parliament lobby.
“As for all of you, you can stay on here because I was told that it is easier for you to ambush the ministers and MPs for comments,” he joked.
However, the changes will only come in effect in September, he said, explaining that the current proceeding which began on June 11 is coming to an end next week.
In the meantime, Nazri urged journalists to continue providing feedback on the matter and how working condition can be improved to assist the House administrators to make the necessary changes.
