Fahmi gives 'time constraint' as reason for keeping out TV channel from Merdeka Day parade

The removal of the local television channel, Awesome TV, from taking part in the National Day parade is due to time constraints, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi said that the situation was not only experienced by Awesome TV, as several other companies were also dropped from participating in the parade, which will be held at Dataran Putrajaya this Thursday.

"We see it from the perspective of the overall duration of the programme. There are several parties who applied to participate in the parade, which we, at the communications and digital ministry, cannot accommodate.

"So, it is not just one company (that was dropped). There is a limited time frame if viewed in terms of the overall allotted time," he told reporters after witnessing the preparations for the 2023 National Day celebration here today.

On Aug 24, the media reported that Awesome TV claimed to have been dropped from the list of participants in the creative and broadcasting industry contingent without any reason given.

The creative and broadcasting industry contingent participating in the National Day parade this year is made up of various agencies and local media companies.

Apart from the creative and broadcasting industry contingent, the parade will also see the participation of other contingents, namely the nationhood contingent, the Malaysia Madani unity contingent, the economy contingent, and the banking contingent.

Also participating are the telecommunications contingent, the community contingent, the national sports contingent, as well as the national welfare and security contingent.