After 73 years of being the national broadcasting station, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) is still relevant as the official mouthpiece of the government in this era of New Malaysia, says Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He said all these years, RTM had been playing its role well by disseminating true and accurate news to the people.

“We will always support RTM by giving press freedom and coverage to meet the people’s demand for true and accurate news.

“I believe that neither the state government nor the federal government will interfere in the reports prepared by RTM,” he said when opening the Fiesta Sehati @RTM #UntukKomeLer programme at the Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Complex in Ipoh today.

Also present were Deputy Director-General of Broadcasting (Strategic) Nor Hayati Awang and Perak Communications, Multimedia, NGO, and Cooperative Development Committee chairperson Hasnul Zulkarnain Abdul Munaim.

Various activities had been lined up for the three-day fiesta, which began yesterday, such as karaoke singing competition, colouring contest, religious talk and stage performance by local singers including Jamal Abdillah, Adira Suhaimi and Adi 6ixth Sense.

Ahmad Faizal said a developed country would not be able to enjoy the development if the government-owned broadcasting station failed to act and function accordingly.

“RTM must be aware of this responsibility. Seventy-three years is not a short period of time. Even Malaysia had just celebrated the 62nd anniversary of its independence.

“Logically, RTM must have reached the highest level of maturity and its credibility should not be questioned,” he said.

- Bernama