TV station apologises, Watson to lodge police report

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Watson Nyambek

KUCHING: Primeworks Studios, the studio behind the comedy show who had insulted the late father of former national sprinter Watson Nyambek has issued a letter of apology to Watson over the incident.

Video footage of the show that aired on Saturday went viral on social media after one of its comedians uttered phrases that implied that Watson – a national hero, particularly to Sarawakians – deserved to lose his national record and likened his late father to a goat.

In the show, the presenter mocked the name of Watson’s father by mimicking the bleating of a goat when pronouncing the last syllable of his last name, while his co-host laughed.

In the letter addressed to the media, Primeworks Studio chief executive officer Ahmad Isham Omar said they had reprimanded their staff and advised them to be sensitive towards others when producing shows in the future.

The company will be reviewing the control procedure of its productions to avoid similar incidents from happening again.

The letter also stated that the company recognised Watson and his achievements and the pride and glory he brought to the nation, while offering an apology to Watson on behalf of TV3 and TV9.

Meanwhile, Watson told The Borneo Post that he would lodge a police report against the television station for insulting his late father.

Watson said he and a few others will lodge the police report at Miri Central Police station at 9am tomorrow.

“It is one thing to insult me but it is another thing to insult my father who is now not around to defend himself,” he stated.

He said he is not sure of the motive behind the show but it could be viewed as a provocation to incite racial hatred by “belittling an Iban name”.

Watson urged the police and other relevant authorities to probe the reason behind televising the show as he feared it could be part of an agenda to sow discord in the nation.