Deputy Information Minister Khalid Yunus today again refused to reveal the names of the companies which had sponsored Barisan Nasional advertisements during the last general elections.

However, in response to Kamaruddin Jaafar (PAS-Tumpat) during the question time, he told Parliament that the total payment received for advertisements aired over RTM during the elections period amounted to RM1.35million.

This payment was part of an advertising blitz conducted on behalf of BN during the run-up to the November polls in both print and broadcast media.

When asked a supplementary question by Chow Koh Yew (DAP- Tanjong) about the name of the companies which have paid the advertisements, Khalid replied, "I can't answer."

Chong Eng, DAP MP for Bukit Mertajam, who stood up simultaneously with Chow, asked, "Why can't this be answered?"

Chow recalled that yesterday Khalid had mentioned about one company being involved in sponsoring the advertisements, and he insisted that the company be named.

Chong Eng complained to the Speaker Tun Mohamed Zahir Ismail that Khalid could at least provide a written answer.

Khalid said, "I replied according to what had been asked (MPs laughing), and I won't answer (again, more laughter from MPs)."

In response, Kamaruddin Jaaffar (PAS-Tumpat) stood up and said, "Thank you for the Deputy Information Minister's simple answer. It seems that there is an admission (pengakuan) that the non- government sector and BN had paid for the advertisements of over RM1 million. Is there a possibility of the company who had sponsored the big amount may be involved in committing an offence under the Corruption Act and other laws?"

Kamaruddin, however, did not received a reply. Instead, Khalid said: "Next question."

Later, Chong Eng told malaysiakini outside Parliament that Khalid is very irresponsible in trying to hide the facts.

"He does not have the right to refuse to answer in Parliament," she said.