Like most Astro subscribers, I was absolutely fuming when I received Astro's notice that I have to officially write in to reject their offer of the Emperor package, otherwise it would be deemed that I have agreed to subscribe to that package.

While I am not legally trained, I know that under Contract Law, an offer has to be made, and accepted, in order for it to be legal. What Astro has done is certainly reversing the process, and if every peddler and sales people in town were to do what Astro did, then all of us will be spending all our free time writing rejection letters!

What really rankles me is that I have not heard any of our government ministers or officials admonishing Astro o­n this issue. Maybe it is because Astro's boss is a powerful big-shot, or because it is seen as a 'friendly' company by the government, just like MAS and Renong (that is another story ).

About a year or so ago, Astro undertook a so-called 'repackaging' exercise where it broke up its services into several packages. Needless to say, if subscribers opted for all the packages, which was what they were enjoying before the repackaging, their monthly subscription would increase significantly.

I knew straight away that it was an unfair scheme to increase Astro's profits, and decided to cancel some non-essential packages such as Cartoon Network, so that my subscription became less than before the repackaging.

I suggest that all subscribers do the same this time round to send Astro a clear message that we should not be taken for granted, and also that we are disgusted with such unsavoury practices. ( I will certainly cancel my Dynasty package and is seriously considering cancelling my Astro subscription totally.)

Astro should be hit where it hurts most - its pocket. It should also be made clear to them that they should think twice in future before embarking o­n another of their despicable and shameless fund-raising scheme.