RTM Apologises For Commentator's Blunders Over Singapore, Thailand PMs' Names

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Department of Broadcasting has issued an apology following mistakes made by a commentator who incorrectly identified several Southeast Asian leaders during the live broadcast of the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits earlier today.

In a statement, the department said Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) took the matter seriously and that appropriate action had been taken.

“Based on our internal investigation, the commentator mistakenly referred to Singapore’s Prime Minister as Lee Hsien Loong, whereas the current Prime Minister is Lawrence Wong.

“The commentator also mentioned Thailand’s Prime Minister as Srettha Thavisin, instead of Anutin Charnvirakul, who currently holds the position,” the statement read.

The department stated that RTM would continue to strengthen its editorial oversight and fact-checking processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all information disseminated to the public.

The opening ceremony, chaired by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was attended by all ASEAN leaders.

Also present were United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres, European Council president Antonio Costa, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and World Bank vice-president for East Asia and the Pacific Carlos Felipe Jaramillo.

The 47th ASEAN Summit is being held from Oct 26 to 28 under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.

In a separate statement earlier, the department also apologised for the commentator’s mistake in misidentifying the Indonesian President as Joko Widodo, whereas the current President is Prabowo Subianto.

 “RTM hereby apologises to the President and Indonesian government, as well as to all parties affected by this mistake,” the statement read.

-- BERNAMA