2026 WorldFree World Cup Broadcasts Well Received, Help Cut Costs - Fahmi
BUTTERWORTH, June 20 (Bernama) — The government's initiative to broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup through Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and Unifi TV has been well received and is helping to reduce costs borne by restaurant operators and the public, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said this was conveyed to him by the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association, which described the provision of free broadcasts as generating significant savings for restaurant operators.
"In fact, one trader told me that this is the first time in more than two decades that he has been able to watch World Cup matches free of charge.
"We know that these matches can be viewed through RTM, RTMKlik and Unifi TV. To me, this helps reduce the costs that would otherwise have to be borne by the public as well as food premises operators.
"We hope this initiative will help, particularly the food and beverage sector, attract more viewers and customers to their premises," he told reporters after attending the Jiwa@Sembang Santai Special Edition FIFA World Cup 2026 programme at the Seberang Jaya Public Market food court here today.
Earlier, Fahmi spent time watching the first half of the match between Brazil and Haiti with members of the public and mingling with traders at the public market.
He said the visit gave him an opportunity to obtain direct feedback on business conditions and the challenges currently faced by traders.
"I took the opportunity to visit the stalls, meet the traders and gather information on business conditions as well as their expectations regarding assistance from the state or federal government.
"I have received several inputs and will convey them to the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and Penang Chief Minister (Chow Kon Yeow)," he said.
Fahmi also expressed hope that more ministers, Members of Parliament and state assemblymen would spend time on the ground to see firsthand the situation faced by the people and traders, particularly in dealing with rising costs resulting from the conflict in West Asia.
"While we hope the conflict will come to an end, its effects are still being felt through increases in the cost of certain goods, and this is something that requires attention," he said.
— BERNAMA
