It remains a mystery as to why satellite television provider Astro failed to air the re-runs of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's interview with CNN's Lorraine Hahn in her Talk Asia programme on Sunday.

Attempts by malaysiakini to obtain answers from the broadcaster continued to draw a blank today.

Astro director of programming (and content strategy) Robert Lyons, when contacted this afternoon, refused to comment on the matter.

According to Lyons, Astro did air the show as scheduled on Saturday and he had watched it himself.

However, when pressed on why the scheduled re-runs on Sunday were not aired, an annoyed Lyons retorted: "How many times do they want to watch (the interview)?"

The irate Astro executive continued: "Who gave you my telephone number? Where did you get my number?"

He suggested that the company's corporate affair department be contacted for an explanation, but malaysiakini's efforts to reach their officers today had been unsuccessful.

Malaysiakini reported yesterday that CNN viewers in other neighbouring countries had the opportunity to watch repeats of the Anwar interview on Sunday, scheduled at 1.30am, 6.30pm and 11pm.

However, Malaysians were shown a different Talk Asia interview, which was earlier screened in July.

'Tremendous pressures'

Meanwhile, a source in Astro said that staff at the satellite TV provider were not allowed to give comments to the media without the green light from the company.

"We have been warned before not to be interviewed by anyone," he said.

He added that the company also faces "tremendous pressure" from the authorities. "Don't expect us to have more freedom than the other media here."

Freelance journalist MGG Pillai ( photo ) has, in his website, today published a copy of the communication between CNN's TalkAsia team and a viewer.

It claimed that "Astro was advised by their legal team on Saturday it was best to show an alternate show on Sunday".

The letter also came with a transcript of the said interview. However, the authenticity of the letter could not be ascertained.

Malaysiakini understands that Astro has its own censor board to weed out programmes deemed "not suitable for viewing" for the local audience.

The company also has the right to change the content of the 'offending' programmes and alter the viewing times, even those bought from international media companies such as CNN.

Astro - which broadcasts 50 TV channels including CNN - had previously been embroiled in the controversial removal of a 'sensitive' programme which examined the plight of Indian Malaysians.

Last September, the broadcaster axed an episode of Star TV's current affairs programme, Focus Asia , which aired a report on the country's 'Indian underclass'.