LegCo Members Ask RTB For Better Local Coverage
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Legislative Council (LegCo) members urged Radio Television Brunei to make an in-depth coverage on local front in all four districts during the Legislative Council session yesterday.

YB Awang Haji Mohd Shafiee bin Ahmad said, "RTB has been allocated a budget of $52,808,811 for 2008/2009. There is only one crew in the Belait District. Being the largest district in Brunei, how can a crew make a good coverage in the district. Is there any plan to outsource to ensure comprehensive coverage?"

Minister of Energy YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya, in response, said, "Some activities that RTB are unable to cover in the Belait District are given to outsiders. The quality may not be good but it's enough to fulfil the objectives of covering all activities in the country."

YB Pehin Kapitan Lela DiRaja Dato Paduka Awang Gob Kin Chin, meanwhile, asked if RTB will be producing programmes in Chinese language, given that the radio station is doing so.

The minister replied, "We need to have further in-depth assessment. At the moment, RTB is already competing with private television stations overseas, such as Astro."

He also expressed concerns that too many channels may result in the station's inability to fulfil its objective of delivering government's messages to the people.

YB Awang Haji Sulaiman bin HajiAhai said RTB should appoint a head in its branch in the Temburong District, adding drivers and 4WD vehicles would help the staff perform their daily duties more efficiently.

He also highlighted the insufficient coverage of Temburong floods on February 9, as the crew only filmed the disaster from a bird's eye view.

In response, the minister promised to "take into consideration the shortages and correct the shortcomings with the budget for the coming years".

Meanwhile, YB Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Dato Paduka Awang Haji Muhammad Taha bin Abdul Rauf said the Tutong District received the least coverage among the four districts, while YAM Pengiran Setia Negara Pengiran (Dr) Haji Mohd Yusof bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahim stressed on the importance of using proper Malay language in news reports. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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