Awang Tengah gets ready to release the balloons at the programme launching ceremony.
KUCHING: Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) is still very much relevant and has remained an important source of information, especially to those living in rural areas and the interior of the state.
Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said it could not be denied that there were many medium for people to access information, including social media.
He said people living in the interior where network coverage was limited rely on RTM’s radio service to convey urgent messages to relatives or friends, and its television channels for entertainment and news on happenings in the country and abroad.
Awang Tengah said since many people were still solely dependent on RTM for news and information, it was high time the broadcasting agency make its programmes more interesting to attract the younger group of viewers and listeners.
“It’s my hope that RTM will help highlight what we have achieved today by making comparison between where we were prior to independence and where we are at present.
“Showing our past history is important for the young generation to know the hardships our past leaders faced in fighting for freedom.”
He said this at the launch of RTM Sarawak ‘Berambeh #Sehati Sejiwa’ programme here yesterday.
Awang Tengah said as RTM’s role was to disseminate information, the broadcasting agency should correct people’s perception on how Malaysia was formed.
Many of them say Sarawak joined Malaysia when the fact is Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and Malay Peninsula came together to form one nation called Malaysia.
“Each of them has equal rights and is supposed to have the same autonomy as agreed upon by all parties prior to the formation,” he said.
He said RTM can face the competition and challenges by being more proactive, creative and innovative in bringing in new products that suit the needs of present society.
He said another aspect RTM should focus on was greater interaction with the local community to understand them better.
To achieve this, the RTM Recreation Club can organise more activities for the public to participate in.
The minister yesterday contributed RM20,000 to the club for setting up such a programme.
Meanwhile state broadcasting director Salmah Ibrahim Melina in her welcoming address yesterday said their Berambeh #Sehati Sejiwa RTM Sarawak 2015 started on Thursday would end tomorrow.
She said numerous events were being held – the highlight a live concert tonight.