The government through the Finance Ministry will provide funding for Bernama to ensure Bernama TV continues to operate as usual, said Treasury secretary-general Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.

 

“The government puts high hopes on Bernama TV as it is a 24-hour news channel that provides the latest news to the people,” he told Bernama after appearing on Bernama TV’s ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said the government will ensure Bernama TV staff continue to be provided  new technology, facilities and training, besides being paid market rate salaries.

“The government pays serious attention to Bernama TV’s survival, so we will provide a certain allocation to help Bernama in its quest to provide the latest news to the people,” he said.

Irwan Serigar also requested the Bernama management to meet him to discuss the allocation of funds to Bernama TV.

On allegations that Bernama TV would cease operations, he said the government would not take any drastic action to close the television station.

“The government has never considered closing Bernama TV, as Bernama TV is a good news channel, so I feel it’s impossible that the government would take the drastic step of closing Bernama TV,” he said.

If Bernama TV, a joint venture between the government and the private sector, has a problem in continuing to operate, it could be fully taken over by the government and operated by the relevant ministry, he suggested.

Meanwhile, he said, several ministries have begun to show savings in their expenditures, including for the purchase of new office equipment and vehicles, while other ministries have cut down on the number of overseas trips and their delegation sizes.

On the Asean Economic Ministers' Meeting to be held in Kota Baru beginning this Saturday, he expressed hope that it would boost Kelantan’s economy especially for local hotels and souvenir shops.

- Bernama