PAS’ Sepang MP Mohd Hanipa Maidin has questioned why Radio-Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) did not air the 'Wacana Nasional' television programme on the hudud forum, in which he was a panel member.

The forum, which also featured DAP Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong and Umno’s Kok Lanas assemblyperson Che Alwi Che Ahmad as panel members, as well as academician Siti Zubaidah Ismail from Universiti Malaya, was recorded on Friday and slated to be aired last night.

“It was supposed to be broadcast, unedited, between 11pm and midnight last night. However, at about 10pm, I received information from RTM that the airing of the programme was postponed to an indefinite date.

“I got to know the recording has yet to be viewed by Information and Communications Minister (Ahmad Shabery Cheek),” Hanipa ( right ) claimed in a statement.

He noted that while the programme became heated at times, the panellists debated the issue without becoming too emotional.

For example, one of question he posed during the forum was whether Umno was truly sincere in implementing hudud.

If so, why did it not let Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II case be heard in the syariah Ccourt, as sodomy is an offence under Islamic law.

He credited moderator, RTM’s Sayed Munawar Sayed Mohd Mustar, for keeping the discussion under control.

Hanipa then listed five questions on the matter:

  • Why was broadcast postponed and is the minister (Ahmad Shabery) involved in the decision?

 

  • Will the programme eventually be aired? If yes, when?

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  • And if it is aired, will the minister ensure it is broadcast unedited?

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  • Is it standard practice for such political programmes to gain ministry approval before they can be broadcast?

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  • Why can’t RTM air the programme live, to show the government is practising a mature and open democracy?

    • Hanipa said that if there is no response from RTM, he wouldl bring the matter up in Parliament.

    Malaysiakini has emailed questions to RTM's director-general for broadcasting Norhyati Ismail and is awaiting her response.