ASTRO today apologised for any misunderstanding caused by promotional materials for the television show Pak Su Ammara, which allegedly perpetuates misogynistic and harmful gender norms.
“Astro does not endorse these views. The intention with dramas like Pak Su Ammara is to surface real-world and fictionalised stereotypes that the series examines as the plot progresses.
“At its core, the drama emphasises women’s empowerment. The female lead, Ummi Nazeera, is portrayed as a resilient and assertive character from the beginning—consistently standing her ground and asserting her rights,” it said.
In a joint press statement yesterday, 15 civil society organisations and activists expressed alarm over advertisements displayed on MRT trains and stations, which they say reinforce sexist assumptions about women’s roles in marriage and society.
According to images circulating on social media, the advertisements featured statements such as “A wife who refuses emotional and physical needs will sin and be kept far from heaven,” “A wife must respect her husband,” and “What’s the point of a wife being highly educated if she can’t cook?”
Another message read, “There is no point having a beautiful wife if she does not respect her husband.”
The group also said that such messaging normalises the idea that women are obligated to obey their husbands, fulfil sexual expectations, and remain confined to domestic roles.
“Allowing a popular television programme to disseminate these messages risks reinforcing discriminatory beliefs and legitimising gender inequality.”
“While provocative marketing and so-called ‘clickbait’ strategies are often used to attract attention, this does not excuse messaging that humiliates women or suggests they are inferior or required to submit to their spouses,” the statement said.
The coalition called on the Ministry of Communications to investigate how the advertisements were approved for display in public spaces.
They also urged MRT Corp, Astro, and the producers of Pak Su Ammara to remove the advertisements immediately and issue a public apology.
“We remain committed to responsible storytelling and to supporting efforts that foster greater gender equity in our communities.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to reassure that all promotional materials in question have been swiftly taken down,” said Astro. – February 5, 2026
