Malaysia denies ban on Tamil programmes

Malaysia has denied reports that it plans to stop airing Tamil language programmes, asserting that it would continue to show both local and foreign Tamil programmes and films that were 'suitable for broadcast'.

Abdul Rahman Hamid, director general for broadcasting of the state-owned Radio Television Malaysia, said the network had not received any directive from the Information Ministry or any other ministry on the matter and will continue to show both local and foreign Tamil programmes and films that were suitable for broadcast.

"If there is any objection to broadcasting, it is due to the failure of the programme concerned to meet the conditions and quality set by the RTM Quality Committee and the Film Censorship Board that comes under the Home Ministry," Abdul Rahman said in a statement.

RTM always studies the demand to increase programme broadcasts in various languages including Tamil and would increase them based on suitability, Malaysian national news agency Bernama quoted him as saying.

A Malaysian newspaper had reported that the Information Ministry had banned airing of Tamil language programmes.

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country and ethnic Indians compose 7.8 per cent of its population. A majority of these Indians are from Tamil Nadu, whose ancestors were brought here by the British to work in plantations.