Watson holds up the police report he lodged against TV3 and Primeworks Studios.
MIRI: Former national sprinter, Watson Nyambek, has lodged a police report against TV3 and the producer of the “Sukan Tak Sentral” television programme for allegedly making degrading remarks against his late father.
The programme, which was produced by Primeworks Studios Sdn Bhd (Primeworks Studios), was aired on TV3 on Saturday.
Watson, 41, who is now a full time trainer with the National Sports Council, lodged the report at the Miri Central Police Station here at about 10am today.
He was accompanied by some 40 people from nine non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political bodies when he arrived at the police station at around 9am.
The NGOs included the Sarawak Dayak Association, Gagasan Anak Dayak Sarawak, Terabai Menua, Borneo Tail Club Miri, Dayak Bikers, Miri Kuntao Association and Lambir branch Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu.
When met later, Watson said he was still unhappy with the sports-based comedy programme.
In the report, it is stated that on April 22 at 11.15am at Hotel Medan Sibu Sarawak, Watson was informed by his wife Fellizia Michael Samdom of a TV3 comedy show titled ‘Sukan Tak Sentral’ where the male host of the programme Azizul Ammar Abu Hassan and a female presenter Marsha Milan Londoh mentioned his late father’s name Nyambek and imitated the bleating of a goat while pronouncing the last syllable of his name.
“The way they mentioned the name was as if they were comparing my late father to an animal. It has really brought shame to our family and I got mad especially when the producer did not get any approval from me to air the programme,” he wrote.
“I am requesting the police to investigate this case as I want to know the motive behind the presenter’s insensitive action and want to take action against him,” he added.
He also said he was mulling legal action against TV3 and Primeworks Studios Sdn Bhd, although they had issued an apology yesterday.
“I am still angry. Not only did they belittle me and my family but also the people of Sarawak.
“This is not something that should be taken lightly. They must be held responsible for such folly. I am now looking into the next course of action,” he told reporters here today.
Asked if he plans to withdraw the police report since he would be meeting an entourage from Primeworks Studios later during the day, Watson said it was unlikely.