Hokkien TV Programmes Over MiTV

[yeobh]

Good news for Malaysian Hokkien TV viewers who have long been deprived of Hokkien programmes over the TV network eventhough Hokkiens constitute the largest Chinese dialect group in Malaysia.

MiTV which was launched by the Malaysian Prime Minister on 5 September 2005 can rightly claim to satisfy everyone since it also has Chinese programmes in not only Mandarin and Cantonese but also in Hokkien and Hakka. The Hokkien programmes are mainly sourced from Taiwanese TV networks and Fujian TV in China whereas the Hakka programmes are from Hakka TV in Taiwan. For more info on MiTV, log on to <www.mitv.com.my/portal/orient.asp>

The main setback is the higher initial outlay i.e. paying the retail price of RM1,188 for the Interactive Multimedia Terminal (IMT) Set Top Box and a basic monthly subscription fee of RM68 to receive the MiTV programmes compared to only RM199 for a decoder including a satellite dish and a monthly subscription fee of RM64.95 for a basic package to receive programmes from ASTRO, a satellite TV network based in Malaysia.

I am presently an ASTRO subscriber but has complained to ASTRO that since its inception, it has completely ignored the interests of Chinese Hokkien community in Malaysia by not having any Hokkien programmes. I have urged ASTRO to seriously consider the viability of having Hokkien programmes over its network as Hokkiens constitute the largest Chinese dialect group in South East Asia. ASTRO's WE CARE section said it would get back to me in 6 days but it didn't reply at all.

By the way, I have recently emailed ASTRO to enquire whether it is having plan to include Hokkien and even Hakka programmes in its network in view of the competition from MiTV. I have yet to get a reply.

If ASTRO continues to be insensitive to the majority of its Chinese subscribers particularly the Hokkiens, I hope many subscribers including me of course should seriously consider switching over to MiTV which can cater more to their interests.

I feel strongly that there should be more Hokkien TV programmes available over TV networks to keep alive the language. We have been overwhelmed by Hong Kong Cantonese programmes eventhough the Cantonese community in Malaysia is much smaller compared to the Hokkiens and even the Hakkas. The Hokkien community in Malaysia has long been deprived of its own language TV programmes not only over the private TV networks but also the government TV stations which are competing for the limited advertising cake. I have written a couple of times to the press to complain on this matter but they have all fallen on deaf ears. I hope more Hokkiens who love their language will assist to pursue on this matter.

Kam sia

Yeo

[Guest]

Generally, the Hokkiens are not passionate about their language. That is why they get pushed around or disregarded in TV programming in spite of being a major language group in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and even in Taiwan where they constitute about 70% of the population. The Hokkien Associations in Malaysia and Singapore do not seem to care about promoting the language let alone pressure the government to provide appropriate airtime for Hokkien TV programmes. In fact, they are instead promoting Mandarin amongst their members! What an utter disappointment. Even in Taiwan where they are in an overwhelming majority, they do not enjoy the privilege of having their own language TV station funded by the government unlike the Hakkas and the Aborigines whose language TV stations have been established by the Government which is mainly elected by the Taiwanese Hokkiens! It all goes to show that the Hokkiens generally have no qualms about letting their language die a natural death through no fault of others.

Perhaps, there should be a concerted global effort to promote Hokkien language and culture like what the Hakkas are doing for the Hakka language and culture supported by the Taiwanese Government through the Council for Hakka Affairs. Why can't an agency of the Taiwanese Government take the lead in this case. If they can do it for the Hakkas who are in the minority in Taiwan, why not the Hokkiens who form the backbone of the Taiwanese Government? The fact that Hokkiens are the overwhelming majority in Taiwan does not mean that they should be left to fend for themselves. I hope the Taiwanese Hokkiens would do somethig positive in the interest of their language and culture and not let the matter take its course. It might be too late then as in the case of Singapore where Hokkien which was once predominant has been slowly bleeding to death by the government policy of promoting Mandarin. The earlier slogan of the Singaporian Government of "Speak More Mandarin Less Dialects" has been replaced by "Speak Only Mandarin" campaign.

Concerned Hokkien

[Guest]

http://www.mitv.com.my

[yeobh]

ASTRO has replied to me by phone saying they are currently screening a Taiwanese Hokkien drama entitled the Spirits of Love over the ASTRO's AEC channel at 12 noon and repeated at 6pm & 12 midnight every Monday to Friday.They are however unable to confirm whether they are planning more Hokkien and even Hakka programmes. The above Hokkien drama has escaped my attention since there was practically no publicity in the English press and astroguide. Moreover the astroguide does not indicate the language/dialect of the drama. Maybe there was some write-up in the Chinese magazine and ad in the other Chinese channels over ASTRO but the problem is I hardly read Chinese and seldom watch the Chinese programmes since they are mainly in Cantonese and Mandarin. Anyway, I hope there will be more Hokkien and even Hakka programmes over ASTRO in future.

[hong]

I can't see what is the point for this tv drama.The minnan language from China is just xiamen and taiwan is just unpure ciangciu and xiamen.In actual fact minnan in SEA cannot learn to speak minnan language like their ancestors from this drama and news.
Look at how misleading they are in taiwan's minnan news
危 is gui not ui.
Vietnam is 越 uat not guat.
Those guys should buy dict to learn. I watch show like 鸟来伯 and 亲戚不计较 over internet mainly for the story but not the language.
I won't say hotel as japanese style hoteru like them .

[yeobh]

It is quite a similar situation in the case of Hong Kong Cantonese dramas. The Cantonese spoken in Malaysia is also not that pure compared to the language used in the dramas. Yet Hong Kong Cantonese dramas are very popular and many non-Cantonese speakers have picked the language by just watching those dramas. I don't see why Taiwanese Hokkien dramas should be an exception.