AWESOME TV, recently under fire over racial tones in its news broadcast, does not fall under the purview of Astro Malaysia’s content control, the satellite television operator said today. 

Astro said it has no involvement in Awesome TV’s editorial and content, adding that the station is subject to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) regulations. 

“Astro would like to clarify that Awesome TV does not belong to Astro. Astro has no involvement in the editorial and content of Awesome TV.

“Awesome TV is a Content Applications Service Provider free-to-air licensee subject to MCMC’s regulations. It does not come under the purview of Astro’s content control,” Astro said. 

Last week, Awesome TV downplayed accusations of its newscasters taking a racial tone in their news broadcast. 

It said that the station’s intention was to inform Malay voters that the new government may not be to their preference and will affect their welfare if they do not vote.

It said if Malays do not vote, then a government not of their preference shall control Malaysia to the detriment of their welfare. 

In the video clip that has since gone viral, Awesome TV’s Berita 7:57 newscasters called for Malays to vote in the general election if they do not want “other races” to gain political control of the country, basing their comments on a study showing that 80% of its ethnic Chinese respondents intend to vote. 

Awesome TV also said its report was manipulated by those with political interests, and said some of its critics are those against the Bumiputera agenda. 

“Some parties with political interests, especially those who are not supportive of the Bumiputera agenda, have manipulated Berita 7:57’s objective as racial on social media,” its spokesman said. 

“Awesome TV sees this manipulation as malicious towards Awesome TV, which is attempting to get voters to be responsible in exercising their voting rights.” – November 12, 2022.