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 this is 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 us not feel that we must cancel all concerts because of one incident,” Teo said when winding up the committee-level debate for the ministry in Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to the issue raised by several MPs on the concert by British band Coldplay at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium tonight.
Meanwhile, Teo said the ministry does not interfere in the Digital Content Fund (DKD) distribution for films by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) as the relevant committee makes every decision.
To the question raised by Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, 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, she 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 seen during the state elections and Pulai, Simpang Jeram, Jepak, and Kemaman by-elections.
“Bernama Wires, TV, and radio have also reported questions and debates by Arau in this Dewan Rakyat,” Teo said.
On the 5G Rahmah package initiative, as of October, it had reached 98,979 subscriptions, with the B40 group subscribing to 49 per cent of the package.
Regarding establishing 1,878 Madani Communities nationwide, she 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 MPs.
— Bernama
