KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — All local and international artistes performing in Malaysia have been reminded to respect the country’s sovereignty and laws, said Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching.
She said it was indeed the position of the ministry and the MADANI government.
“So far, PUSPAL (the central committee for the application for filming and performance by foreign artistes) has approved 296 concerts by foreign artistes this year, all of which have proceeded smoothly and complied with the regulations we have emphasised.
“Yes, there was one incident involving The 1975 that did violate the guidelines, but let’s not feel that we must cancel all concerts because of one incident,” she said when winding up the committee-level debate for the ministry in Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to the issue raised by several Members of Parliament on the concert by British band Coldplay at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium tonight.
Meanwhile, Teo stated that the ministry does not interfere in the Digital Content Fund (DKD) distribution for films by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) because every decision is made by the relevant committee.
To the question raised by Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Perikatan Nasional-Arau), who wanted to know if the government would allow the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to cover programmes organised by the opposition bloc, Teo said it was not an issue.
“Bernama and RTM will continue to provide balanced coverage to any party, including those in the government and opposition bloc…as can be seen during the state elections and Pulai, Simpang Jeram, Jepak and Kemaman by-elections.
“Questions and debates by Arau in this Dewan Rakyat have also been reported by Bernama Wires, TV and radio,” she said.
On the 5G Rahmah package initiative, Teo noted as of October, it had reached 98,979 subscriptions, with the B40 group subscribing 49 per cent of the package.
Regarding the establishment of 1,878 MADANI Communities nationwide, Teo said the government allocates RM10,000 to each community, with RM7,000 for conducting programmes and RM3,000 to cover management costs.
Dewan Rakyat approved the management and development expenditure estimated at RM2,849,246,800 allocated to the Communications and Digital Ministry in Budget 2024 with more voices agreed after being debated by 17 Members of Parliament.
Meanwhile, when winding-up the debate on the bill at committee level for the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), its minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said a National Subfertility Centre will be built in Shah Alam, Selangor with an allocation of RM171 million.
She said works on the project encompassing the process of preparing design drawings and groundwork at the project site will begin next year with the facility expected to be completed in 2029 and start operating from 2030.
“The ministry also has plans and programmes that will be introduced next year as an effort to increase the level of fertility among the people,” she said.
The Dewan Rakyat later passed the management and development expenditure estimate amounting to RM3,522,782,300 allocated to KPWKM with more voices in support after a debate by 20 Members of Parliament.
Dewan Rakyat will sit again tomorrow.
