KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 - The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) has rejected the first recorded cut of last night's MCA deputy presidential debate.
The Malaysian Insider understands that broadcaster ntv7 has been asked to reedit the recording and appeal the decision tomorrow.
It is understood that Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai's mention of the late former Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros was considered sensitive and could stir up emotions.
Lim had mentioned Zakaria, who gained infamy for not submitting building plans for his multi-million ringgit home dubbed Istana Zakaria, as an example of abuse of power during the debate.
Set to be televised live over ntv7 at 8.30pm last night, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had “advised” the broadcaster to submit the recording of the debate for censorship approval before screening it.
When contacted, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (photo) defended his opponent's use of Zakaria as an example.
“What is so sensitive? Everyone is aware of this case. In a debate, people will cite examples and so Lim mentioned it as an example of abuse of power and display of wealth,” said the former health minister.
“I still think there is a black hand behind the cancellation of the live telecast.
“It doesn't look good when a a minister does not want to turn up for a debate. So maybe there is a black hand involved to reduce the negative impact for candidates who did not turn up for the debate,” he explained with an apparent reference to Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
Lim declined to comment at length, preferring to wait until an official reason was given.
However, he mentioned that the Zakaria scandal was something that had happened and was openly talked about.
The MCA vice-president instead said that the debate should have been televised live anyway, as “Malaysian society wants to know more about how the country is run” and the government should be more transparent.
“We need to relook at the whole way we approach this,” he added.
An executive editor at ntv7, Adriana Aris, said that the station had yet to get an official response from the authorities.
“We have sent it to the censorship board but we will only be informed of its decision tomorrow,” she said.
She added that the reason given by MCMC not to broadcast the debate live was valid as the station did not submit an application two weeks in advance.
source: The Malaysian Insider
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