KOTA BARU: Sign language interpreters will be trained by experts before they are appointed at television networks in the country.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the training will be handled by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).
He said the government's move to appoint sign language interpreters at all television networks including in the private sector, was to help disabled people to share the same information as normal people.
"Following my discussion with the few disabled associations as well as with Bernama chairman Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi, we agreed that more sign language interpreters are needed to assist these group.
"At the moment, only certain television networks including RTM have the interpreters and from now on, we will ensure all the television networks given licences by my ministry will have the sign language interpreters," he said.
The Ketereh MP told this to reporters after launching the Umno Ketereh division annual meeting here today.
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz in tabling the 2022 Budget 2022 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday announced that all television networks, including those in the private sector, would provide sign language interpreters in their news segments to improve access to people with disabilities to the media.
He said this would be done with the help of Bernama and the initiative would enable those with hearing disabilities to keep up with the latest news and information.
At the beginning of this year, 24-hour news channel Bernama TV became the second television broadcaster in the country to use the service of a sign language interpreters for its news segments.
On Budget 2022, Annuar said his ministry lauded the government's decision for the huge allocation.
This includes the additional RM4.5 billion allocated under Bank Negara Malaysia's Fund for SMEs and additional RM20 million to aid micro-entrepreneurs from low-income groups through iTEKAD.
"The ministry will focus on providing infrastructures, training and other necessities to these SMEs and micro entrepreneurs.
"I will ensure they get this benefit as soon as possible so that they will become active entrepreneurs again," he added.