KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says RTM’s new channel, TV OKEY, will enable messages to be delivered more effectively to Sabah and Sarawak via the two states’ local dialects.
He said this is because, apart from using the national language, the use of local dialects is seen as an effective way to deliver any messages to the rakyat.
“In Sabah alone, we have more than 52 ethnic groups while Sarawak has 27 ethnic groups with 50 dialects. Previously, only the Kadazan and Iban would be able to listen to news delivered in their dialects twice a day, while other ethnic groups were left out.
“But with this new channel, there will be many more programmes featuring other dialects such as Dusun and Bajau,” he said.
Also present at TV OKEY’s launch were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and wife Datin Seri Faridah Tussin, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, as well as other cabinet ministers.
Najib said TV OKEY can improve the level of two-way communication between the government and the people, as well as develop the creative industry in Sabah and Sarawak.
“TV OKEY can further develop the creative industry in Sabah and Sarawak as these two states are rich in heritage, which can be highlighted through the industry.
“The new channel can also provide more focus on the grassroots in Sabah and Sarawak and enable them to deliver whatever is in their hearts to the leaders. The channel is also geared towards polishing new talents and opening up more opportunities for the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“This is why I was drawn to the name - OKEY. To us, what is important is for the people to feel ‘okay’. When they are okay, the government is okay too,” he said.
The prime minister said the creative industry is one of the Entry Point Projects (EPP) under the National Key Economic Areas, and is expected to contribute RM3.04 billion to the gross national income and produce more than 10,000 jobs by the year 2020.
Meanwhile, Salleh said the name of the channel, which is an acronym for Opportunity, Knowledge, Experience and Yours, was chosen as it is catchy.
“The new programme will put on focus on the daily lives of the communities in Sabah and Sarawak, which is in line with the government’s effort to promote unity, tolerance, peace and other virtues that will instill a sense of patriotism,” he said.
The channel can be viewed on Astro 109 and MyFreeview 110, as well as RTM’s mobile application.