Awesome TV dropped from National Day parade

Local television channel Awesome TV today said the communications and digital ministry has dropped it from the parade to be held in conjunction with the National Day 2023 celebration.

In a statement, Awesome TV said the "unexpected decision" was stated in a letter dated Aug 23, signed by the ministry's secretary-general Muhammad Fauzi Md Isa, and that no reason was given to justify the removal.

The private television channel said it was only informed that the removal was in line with the decision of the National Day celebration main committee meeting number 4/2023 on Aug 21, chaired by Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

In February, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission launched an investigation into the free-to-air television channel over its report claiming that the number of civil servants would be reduced.

Fahmi had said the channel was found to have published news content that violated regulations six times, including slander against the current government.

Meanwhile, Awesome TV said the ministry's decision "clearly contradicts the goals of the Madani government", which "strives to promote the spirit of unity and harmony among Malaysians".

"It also blatantly goes against the promise of the Madani government to empower the role of media in the development and well-being of the nation," it added.