By JULIA ZAPPEI, Associated Press Writer - Thursday, May 20
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A Malaysian TV producer said Thursday he was fired by the state-owned broadcaster after he publicly complained that his show about a politically sensitive dam project on Borneo island had been scrapped.
Chou Z Lam wrote on his blog last month that Radio Televisyen Malaysia canceled a documentary he had completed about the Bakun Dam in Malaysia's Sarawak state on Borneo island after two of the show's 10 episodes had already aired.
"I don't think that is acceptable," Chou told The Associated Press. "People have the right to know what's going on in Sarawak."
Chou had interviewed dozens of Borneo indigenous tribe members relocated from their homes more than a decade ago because of the dam. He found that many were unhappy with compensation they received, especially involving land and education.
Environmental and tribal rights groups have long protested the Bakun hydroelectric dam because it displaced thousands of indigenous people living mostly in poor settlements in the jungles. Malaysian authorities say the dam will supply crucial energy for Sarawak when it is fully operational by early next year.
Government and RTM officials did not immediately return messages seeking comment Thursday. However, local media reports have quoted RTM officials as saying that Chou was fired because of budget constraints.
Malaysia's biggest newspapers and TV stations are owned or closely linked to parties in the ruling coalition. They also need government licenses to operate, which critics say ensures they circulate flattering reports about the government.
Chou's firing came after another producer, Joshua Wong, resigned from private network NTV7 last month, claiming he was not allowed to invite an opposition lawmaker and air discussions about a legislature election for his political talk show.
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