RTM outs another vocal Chinese producer

State-owned RTM2 has made another controversial move last week by not renewing producer Tan Ean Nee's contract, which is seen as a plan to phase out all the senior producers of 'Galeri Mandarin Nasional' documentary programme.This comes as no surprise as RTM had axed senior producer Chou Z Lam in May for making damning allegations of political interference in the popular current affairs programme.
It is learnt that just one person is left in the production team after the departure of Chou and Tan.

"My contract expired on July 31, and RTM did not renew it," said Tan (left) when contacted byMalaysiakiniyesterday.

She added that she was informed of the decision by the broadcaster's human resource department through a letter without any reason being provided.

"Since my colleague's contract had been renewed, I asked my superior Yap Shy Chuan about the status of my contract. Only then, I received the letter," she said.

Tan said at that point, she just packed and left RTM without bothering asking the human resources department for an explanation.

She also refused to speculate on the reason behind the move, saying that Yap should be asked for the non-renewal of her contract.

Yap, however, refused to comment when contacted by Malaysiakini.

Yap, alleged to be a MCA member, was appointed in May by RTM to oversee Chinese-language programmes.

Series chopped, producer axed

RTM had earlier junked two documentary series produced by Chou and Tan.

Chou was the producer of a nine-part documentary highlighting the negative impact of the Bakun Dam on Sarawak's indigenous people, who had been displaced from their land to make way for the project.

Meanwhile, Tan's documentary had focused on the Rawang New Village residents' long-drawn protest against the construction of high-tension cable towers in their village by Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

'Galeri Mandarin Nasional' airs for 10 minutes from 12.20pm from Monday to Friday, right after the noon Chinese-language news broadcast.

The Sarawak 'Bakun Dam' series received the chop after its first two episodes were broadcast on April 26 and 27. The last was scheduled for May 7.

Chou had alleged that RTM had withdrawn the remaining episodes fearing a negative effect on the ruling government's chances in Sarawak's May 16 Sibu by-election.

Following Chou's allegations of censorship, the state-owned RTM denied that it had pulled out his series for that reason.

Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Joseph Salang had also in Parliament denied political interference in the TV2's current affairs programmes.

courtesy of Malaysiakini