Melaka polls: Allowing candidates to air posters, biodata on RTM, bold, timely move

MELAKA: Candidates contesting in the Melaka state election have lauded the government's decision to allow Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to air their posters and biodata from tomorrow, describing it as a bold, proactive and timely move.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for the Tanjung Bidara seat Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the decision was a proactive move by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, especially with the ban on physical campaigning.

"It is a very good reform and congratulations to KKMM for providing opportunities to all candidates. It also provides more space for us to practice democracy that was in line with the memorandum that was signed previously.

"This is a very good start," she said when contacted by Bernama.

Telok Mas seat candidate, Muhammad Ariff Adly Mohammad said the move can be of great help to Independent candidates to promote themselves in the mainstream media ahead of the polling day on Nov 20.

"Although we (Independant candidates) have our own platform, it is not enough to gain widespread attention. Therefore, when the government allows the mainstream media such as RTM to air our campaign material, it will help the people in Melaka to get to know us.

"When voters get accurate information about us on RTM it will also convince them to go out to cast their vote," he said.

For Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Durian Tunggal seat Mohd Sofi Wahab, the move would definitely help candidates, especially newcomers to reach out to their voters.

"It will provide an opportunity for the voters to get to know the candidates contesting in their respective constituencies amidst the strict SOP (standard operating procedures)," he added.

Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA) candidate for the Duyong seat, Mohd Faizal Amzah, on the other hand, hoped that the initiative would be carried out fairly for all contesting parties.

"For newbies like me, it will definitely help us to approach and engage with our voters as physical campaigns are not allowed," he said.

Earlier, Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, when announcing the matter said the airing of such posters and biodata would be done as often as possible as well as fairly and equally.

-- BERNAMA