The host for the Bernama News Channel (BNC) programme ‘Ruang Bicara’, Dahlan Maamor, alleges that he was bumped off his own talk show before the recording of a segment involving Permata, after BNC received an instruction from an unnamed caller.
Permata, a children enrichment programme, is the brainchild of Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Taking to Facebook, the TV presenter who had returned to work after a one-week suspension, apologised for the latest unexpected incident that took place on Monday.
“I was scheduled to host the ‘Ruang Bicara’ on the Permata issue, but someone called the producer and cited Datin Seri Rosmah (Mansor) and asked to have me, the presenter, to be bumped off from becoming the host,” Dahlan (photo) wrote yesterday.
“I was told 20 minutes before the live telecast of the decision that the Permata segment will be recorded on another date. And I was not allowed to host the talk show,” he revealed.
Dahlan had previously been suspended for sharing on Facebook the views of lawyer Adnan Seman, who recommended that Najib seriously consider resigning if it could unite his party.
A senior BNC officer, who spoke to Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity, confirmed what was said by the TV host.
“We were instructed not to allow him to go on air for the programme, maybe for what he did before or maybe they don’t favour him. I don’t know and I am not jumping to conclusions,” the officer said.
However, he said, the caller did not explain the reason for issuing the instruction.
'Presenters of segments based on roster'
As per normal practice, he said, the arrangement as to which presenter would host which segment was based on a roster.
BNC management found no problem with Dahlan hosting the Permata segment, which invited the chairperson of the working committee on the implementation of Permata, Siti Azizah Sheikh Abod, and a senior consultant to Permata programme, Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin, as guests.
“If an instruction comes from higher up, what can we do?” the officer said. “If it comes from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), we have to abide by it.”
The officer also did not reveal the identity of the female caller.
The chairperson of the national news agency, Bernama, Azman Ujang (photo), declined to comment.
“It has not been brought to my attention. I would rather not comment,” Azman said.
Dahlan questioned the caller’s right to intervene in BNC’s broadcasting.
“I am not sure how much Rosmah is aware of the matter or if it was merely done by the caller. If this is so, then it is a new phenomenon in the programme which I have hosted for eight years,” he said.
“I will apply for leave until I can find peace in my heart. I am prepared to end my career as a host,” Dahlan added.
Meanwhile, a source from the channel management said they will talk to the host and advise him from continuing with such action as it wasn’t their call to swap him with another presenter.
Malaysiakini has also been trying to contact Rosmah’s aide, Rizal Mansor, for comment.
