Our focus is on nation-building, RTM boss says amid backlash from PH supporters

Broadcasting director-general Suhaimi Sulaiman says that nation-building is the responsibility and priority of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) amid a backlash from Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters in the aftermath of the six state elections last weekend.

They had blamed the broadcasting personality for failing to promote the Madani government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, claiming that this resulted in a drop in support for the administration. 

Suhaimi described the criticism of him and his staff as a norm in the field of journalism, adding that those who criticise have the right to voice their views on RTM's operations.

"Being criticised is part and parcel of being in the media. People are entitled to their opinion.

"For us at RTM, we eat and breathe nation-building content day in and day out. That is our responsibility.

"Watch RTM on multiple platforms; then they will understand," he told MalaysiaNow.

Suhaimi had come under fire from social media users since Sunday, with some saying that he should shoulder the responsibility for the election results that witnessed declining support for the coalition government.

At the state elections on Saturday, Perikatan Nasional retained its control of Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan with a greater majority than before.

It also made inroads in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang, although the three states remained under the administration of PH and Barisan Nasional (BN).

In Selangor, it won 22 seats, denying the PH-BN pact a two-thirds majority. In Negeri Sembilan, meanwhile, it won five seats in the state assembly, and in Penang, 11.

Suhaimi, 60, was appointed to lead RTM in January this year.