There was a hive of excitement tonight when netizens mistakenly believed that a debate on PTPTN (National Higher Education Corporation Fund) loans was to have been broadcast on Astro AWANI.

As early as 8pm, people began spreading false postings on Facebook and twitter that a debate, supposedly between between Barisan Nasional’s Khairy Jamaluddin and PKR’s Rafizi Ramli, was scheduled for broadcast at 10pm.

Several similar postings were later removed by the originators.

The actual programme scheduled at the time was Agenda Awani, the nightly live discussion programme on the Astro 501 channel.

The programme, hosted by Kamarul Bahrin Haron, today featured political analyst Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria as guest who spoke on the social realities post GE13.

AstroAWANI.com, which carries live streaming of the TV channel, also saw a sudden spike in activity.

Many expressed confusion and disappointment when the much publicised event, falsely advertised online, did not take place.


Astro AWANI would like emphasise that it was not responsible for the postings. We value the interest shown by viewers and will strive to broadcast quality programmes that cater to a discerning and discriminating Malaysian public.