KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Despite a whopping RM90.58 million spent to spiff up Radio Televisyen Malaysia’s (RTM) operations, the state-owned broadcaster’s newsroom appears to be little more than a common office space for its employees, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found today.

Its chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said that the seven-storey building also did not have the necessary broadcast equipment crucial for its operation, and RTM is now requesting Putrajaya for an additional sum of RM126 million for the items via the Economic Planning Unit (EPU)

“This morning we called up the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to explain issues with the integrated newsroom development.

“The building for the newsroom was completed without any broadcast equipment in it to allow it to perform its function. So now, the newsroom is being used as an office by the RTM staff instead,” Nur Jazlan said.

He said that the building was planned in 2006 and the procurement for the project was via an open tender.

The project was completed and handed to RTM in 2012.

“Based on the report by the Auditor-General’s Department, this multi-storey building was found to have several flaws, including failure on the main contractor’s part in the second technical evaluation phase.

“The contractor was awarded the contract although it failed the second phase of the technical feasibility test,” Nur Jazlan said, adding that the building quality was also unsound and no contractor had been appointed to conduct periodic maintenance.

He also expressed puzzlement as to why the project was completed in such a way, without the newsroom equipment.

“It seems as if the contractor rushed it and only now are they seeking for additional funds for equipment… it’s just weird for them to complete the building first and then ask for equipment. Why was it not completed fully?” Nur Jazlan asked, adding that if the issue was not handled properly, it could result in public fund wastage.

“PAC is recommending that RTM obtain the funds they seek and complete the newsroom so it can be fully operational.”