THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has opened an investigation paper on Awesome TV for its report alleging that Putrajaya intended to lay off more than 800,000 civil servants. 

“The MCMC has held a meeting with Awesome TV’s top management on February 20, 2023 to seek further clarification. 

“An investigation paper has been opened by MCMC under Section 206 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for failure to comply with licence conditions,” the commission said in a statement. 

The investigative report was broadcast on Berita 757, a news programme produced by Awesome TV and aired on MYTV and Astro. 

According to MCMC, the investigation paper will be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action soon. 

Yesterday, Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil told the Dewan Rakyat that Awesome TV published defamatory content against the government more than six times. 

“Awesome TV has breached the law once again including during the previous (government administration) as many as five times. 

“So MCMC will meet with Awesome TV because these violations have happened before during the previous administration,” he said while answering an oral question in the Dewan Rakyat. 

Last week, Fahmi denied Awesome TV’s report and insisted that the government had no plans to lay off civil servants.  

“The government appreciates civil servants over the years. Therefore, I ask (Awesome TV) to give an explanation about these ridiculous ideas and proposals,” he wrote on Twitter, in reaction to the Berita 757 report. – February 21, 2023.