Former national footballer Azlan Johar has insisted that he was “sidelined” from his role as a World Cup commentator on RTM due to his PAS membership, despite the national broadcaster maintaining otherwise.
Harakahdaily quoted Azlan as saying that he had accepted an invitation from RTM, sent via WhatsApp, to serve as a commentator “throughout the competition”.
According to the report, Azlan said he subsequently received a “duty schedule” listing nine matches in which he was slated to appear alongside other commentators.
“However, after I finished commentating on a match involving Brazil, I was asked to take a break and told there was no need to attend the subsequent assignments,” he told a press conference at an event organised by Federal Territories PAS last night.
Azlan also claimed that he had questioned the decision and was allegedly informed that it was linked to his PAS membership.
On Monday, Broadcasting Department director-general Ashwad Ismail denied claims that Azlan had been sidelined from his role as a World Cup commentator on RTM, contrary to allegations by several senior PAS leaders that the move was due to his political affiliation.
Ashwad noted that Azlan was invited to commentate on the Brazil-Morocco match despite having publicly announced his PAS membership on June 13.
He also clarified that RTM does not assign exclusive commentary roles but rotates commentators throughout the tournament.
When contacted today, Ashwad reiterated that he did not issue any instructions to prevent Azlan from commentating on the Brazil-Morocco match.
“He still appeared on RTM the day after he was announced as a PAS member,” he told Malaysiakini.
On Azlan’s claim that he was also scheduled to provide live commentary for eight other matches, Ashwad said, “In general, there are no contract that binds any (RTM World Cup) commentators.”
‘Instructed’ to rescind invitation
In the Harakahdaily report, Azlan further claimed that he was called in for a meeting with a programme coordinator and informed that although he had performed well, there had been an alleged “instruction” not to feature him in the remaining eight scheduled matches.
Previously, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan claimed that Azlan had been dropped from upcoming World Cup commentary assignments after joining the party.
“PAS wants to know whether the action, if true, is related to Azlan’s decision to join PAS, as announced in Seremban on June 13,” he said.
Takiyuddin added that all parties, including government agencies, must respect the rights to freedom of association and political participation as guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. - Mkini
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