The 'rainbow coalition' today submitted a memorandum to the Energy, Communications and Multimedia Ministry to reinforce its protest against satellite television service provider Astro's axing of a magazine segment on the Indian Malaysian community.

The coalition , comprising opposition leaders from DAP, Keadilan and Parti Reformasi Insan Malaysia (Prim), was formed after the report titled 'Indian Underclass?" was dropped from the Focus Asia programme in late September.

The memorandum urged the ministry to order Astro to broadcast the programme in order to "lay bare the truth, however painful it might be".

DAP deputy secretary-general M Kula Segaran, who led the delegation, said the appeal was in response to a resolution adopted by concerned groups at meetings held all over the country after the issue was highlighted in the media.

"The affected groups feel very strongly that the last-minute cancellation (of the programme) was ill advised and (this is now) an opportunity for Indians in Malaysia to lobby for government intervention," he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

He said the programme if televised, could have served as an eye-opener for legislators in Parliament.

"The self-censorship by Astro is regrettable and unacceptable to Indian Malaysians. Is it a crime to speak the truth?" he asked.

He said the "illogical decision" by Astro has dismayed many Indian Malaysians and other viewers.

Response from Astro

The memorandum, addressed to the minister Leo Moggie, was accepted by parliamentary secretary Chia Kwang Chye at the Parliament lobby.

According to Segaran, Chia said he would contact the managers of Astro and respond to the coalition in two weeks.

Among other leaders present were DAP secretary-general and Kota Melaka MP Kerk Kim Hock and DAP Youth secretary-general Loke Siew Fook.

The 'Indian Underclass?' was originally slated for broadcast on Sept 28 as a part of the weekly Focus Asia current affairs programme on the Star TV network.

However, it was cancelled after Astro decided that the report could offend the sensitivities of certain viewers.