Kenyataan isu Undilah & SKMM

Saya amat terkejut membaca berita bahawa pihak Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM) minggu ini telah mengarahkan penyiar tempatan supaya berhenti menayangkan hebahan khidmat awam (public service announcement, PSA) “Undilah” yang diterbit saudara Pete Teo dan dilancarkan pada Hari Malaysia yang baru lepas.
PSA ini, yang disertai diri saya sendiri dan ramai lagi tokoh masyarakat Malaysia, adalah satu usaha tak berpihak (non-partisan) untuk mengajak rakyat Malaysia mendaftar sebagai pengundi dan keluar mengundi bila tiba masa pilihanraya nanti demi mengukuhkan proses demokrasi yang diamalkan di negara kita. Ia bertujuan memupuk semangat demokrasi di kalangan rakyat Malaysia, tanpa mengira pihak mana yang disokong.
Di kala para pemimpin negara begitu gah mahu menjadikan Malaysia negara pengamal “demokrasi terbaik” di dunia, tindakan seperti yang dilakukan SKMM ini jelas merosakkan usaha-usaha tersebut dan seakan memperlekeh intelek rakyat Malaysia amnya.
Saya memohon SKMM untuk menjelaskan arahan yang dikeluarkan kepada penyiar tempatan, malah memohon agar SKMM menterbalikkan arahan tersebut dan mempromosi video ini sebagai satu langkah yang dapat memperkukuh demokrasi di negara tercinta ini.
Janganlah kebebasan SKMM diperkuda demi permainan politik seorang menteri yang sudah jelas ketinggalan zaman, yang semakin hilang ditelan arus pemodenan corak politik tanah air.
Nurul Izzah Anwar
Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai dan
Naib Presiden KEADILAN

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For Immediate Release
23 September 2011
I am disturbed after reading the news that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has directed local broadcasters this week to not use the “Undilah” public service announcement (PSA) that was produced by Pete Teo and launched on Hari Malaysia.
This PSA, in which I and numerous other Malaysian public figures participated, is a non-partisan rallying call for all Malaysians to stand up, register as voters, and let our voices be heard through the democratic process of voting in elections. It is meant to rouse the democratic spirit of all Malaysians, regardless of political leanings.
At a time when those leading the country clamour about making Malaysia the “best democracy” in the world, actions taken by entities like MCMC clearly undermines such efforts and belittle the intelligence of Malaysians.
I call on the MCMC to clarify its orders to local broadcasters regarding this PSA, and in fact I urge MCMC to reverse its order and promote the video as a step to strengthen democratic practise in our beloved country.
Let not MCMC’s independence be subjected to the political machinations of an archaic and dogmatic minister, who is lost in the undercurrents of partisan politics and quite out of touch with the latest developments in Malaysia’s political scene.
Nurul Izzah Anwar
Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai and
Vice President of KEADILAN