An Umno division leader today called on the government to revoke NTV7's broadcast licence over a Chinese-language programme where a panellist had mocked Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s administration.

However, when Malaysiakini checked with the television station, a spokesperson expressed puzzlement over the outburst since the programme had been scrapped several years ago.

The programme started on April 1, 2010 and the television station pulled the plug on June 24 of the same year. The programme was broadcasted live every Thursday.

It was also reported that one of the editors had resigned in protest, since the move to cancel the programme was allegedly related to political interference.

Further checks revealed that the panellist who cited a story which infuriated Cheras Umno chief Syed Ali Alhabshee was DAP lawmaker Nga Kor Ming ( photo ), who appeared on the show in 2010.

A video of this has been uploaded on YouTube as well.

According to Syed Ali, the programme titled ‘Edition’ was “rude” and did not respect the sensitivities of the various races in Malaysia.

He took offence with a panellist who spoke about a United Nations conference attended by United States President Barrack Obama, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jia Bao, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The panellist, whom Syed Ali did not name, had quipped about Mugabe holding a quiz for the other three and posed several questions, which were:

  • Which country saw jet engines missing without going to war?

  • Which country used 10 million to build 50 1Malaysia clinics but there are no doctors?

  • Which country’s stadium collapsed even without an earthquake?’

    • Syed Ali described this as a clear insult of the government and the nation’s leadership.

    “I condemn NTV for airing this programme which can cause doubts among the people. The questions posed before an audience contained slander aimed at sowing hatred amongst the people towards the government,” he said.

    “Therefore Cheras Umno urges the government to revoke the broadcasting licence for NTV7 to serve as a lesson for other television stations to be more cautious. This cannot be allowed.

    “We don’t want a television station which incites or insults the government like NTV7,” he added.

    Resounding applause

    Syed Ali said television stations must be more responsible and not allow panellists on its programmes to hurl such statements.

    He also noted the “quiz questions” drew resounding applause from the audience, giving the impression that the government is weak and causes numerous problems for the people.

    “The panellist’s action of insulting the 1Malaysia clinics should not have happened. 1Malaysia clinics have helped the poor and those from the lower income group,” he added.

    Syed Ali said if the panellist disagreed with the government, he could choose to move to another country.

    However, the Umno leader added that if the panellist wanted to stay in this country, he must respect the constitution and sensitivity of other races.

    “But his move to put forth unwarranted questions concerning the administration portrays his attitude of not respecting the people of this country.

    “We can accuse him of wanting to topple the government with such made-up questions,” he said.