Bernama TV (BTV) has again defaulted in paying their staffs!

Bernama TV (BTV) has again defaulted in paying their staffs!

Bernama TV Synergy Sdn Bhd (BRTV) was set up in 2008 to launch and manage the new 24 hour news channel ‘Bernama TV’ which was aired via Astro channel 502. Its shareholders consist of the following companies:

1. Bernama Berhad 33%
2. Silver Ridge Multimedia Sdn Bhd 30%
3. Standard Code Sdn Bhd 30%
4. Hallmax Entertainment Sdn Bhd 7%

Bernama was given the 33% share block for free in return for giving the exclusive broadcasting rights to BRTV to operate and manage BTV. Under the Agreement, Bernama will rent out all the equipment (including studio and office space) to the BRTV. Bernama will also outsource its Audio Visual staff to continue operating the new TV channel. By doing this, Bernama will be able to generate income from the idle equipment and facilities and will not need to retrench its staffs.

However, like many other good ideas in Malaysia, the proposal did not happen as planned. By mid 2009, BRTV owed Bernama a total amount of RM18 million. This is primarily the rental of equipment, office space and the cost of the outsourcing staff.

In a nutshell, Bernama has been funding the operation of BRTV in the following manner:

1. Funding about RM1 million monthly to pay the salary of BRTV staffs;
2. Spending about RM4 – 5 million in a new studio and upgrading of equipment in 2013;
3. Seconding about 25 staff to work in BRTV (but under the payroll of Bernama); and
4. Paying for many other items including utilities, travelling, equipment rental etc.

And now, Bernama is seeking help from Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek to solve the salary crisis that has hit BTV.

So basically BRTV has been running at the expense of Bernama, which is funded by us as the taxpayers.

While I agree that the interest and welfare of BRTV staffs are upmost important, and they deserve to get their salaries without any further delay, Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek should also reveal plan to turn BTV into a profit-making company. And we need to know, since Bernama only owes 33% of the share, what were the contributions from the rest of shareholders? Why Bernama is seemed to be the only party pumping funds into BRTV?

Besides, 30 BTV staff representatives lodged complaints with the Labour Department in Kuala Lumpur on December 10 last year, over the company’s failure to pay their salaries. Ministry of Human Resources and Labour Department should disclose immediately what actions have been taken by them against the directors and shareholders of BRTV, which include YB Senator Matuk Mohd Suhaimi bin Abdullah, who is also Ketua Bahagian UMNO Gunung Jerai.