Come clean on last-minute scrapping of 'takbir raya', PN tells govt

Perikatan Nasional (PN) today voiced disappointment over the eleventh-hour move by TV3 to cancel the slot for the coalition's "takbir raya" last week, urging the management as well as the government to clear the air.

In a statement, PN deputy secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the coalition was informed in an email five minutes before the scheduled broadcast that "technical problems" had arisen. 

"While they promised to return the payments already made by PN, as a known television station and a veteran in the world of national broadcasting, PN believes that such an incident should never have occurred at all," he said, adding that the excuse of "technical problems" was unacceptable. 

PN's Hari Raya takbir or the recital of the takbir for Aidilfitri had been slated to air at 10.20pm on April 21, the eve of Aidilfitri. 

Calling the cancellation an unprofessional decision and breach of contract, Takiyuddin said TV3 and the communications and digital ministry led by Fahmi Fadzil should come clean and deny any political interference to sabotage the opposition's takbir raya.

"The integrity of TV3 and the ministry is heavily contingent on their willingness to be transparent and professional, especially in honouring a contract and promise that was made legally as well as formally," he added.