Daily Express: AF: Sabahans unhappy as Astro cuts short broadcast

KOTA KINABALU: Most Sabahans were estatic when fellow Sabahan, Firman. won the 2014 Academy Fantasia (AF) recently.

But their joy soon turned to disappointment or even anger when Astro, who hosted the talent search reality show, stopped the live broadcast just before the newly-installed winner was about to sing his song again as was the normal practice.

"This is the first time that Astro stopped the live broadcast abruptly, not giving Malaysians the chance to see and hear their new AF champion after the results were announced.

I hope this has nothing to do with the fact that the winner is an East Malaysian," someone commented on Facebook.

Firman, 25, whose real name is Mohd Firman Bansir, beat four other finalists, including fellow Sabahan Adele who was placed fiftth despite leading the chart at the start of the show.

He received RM50,000 cash, a Toyota Vios worth about RM100,000, a free trip to Japan and a trophy.

Firman sang Kejoraku Bersatu by Amy Search who was an invited critic and Dipintu Mu composed by Datuk M. Nasir who was in the audience.

He played the guitar as well in the second song.

Firman is only the second Sabahan to be an AF champion. A few years ago, Stacy became the first from the State to win the title. Stacy has since become a recording and performing artiste.

Astro has since they have a strategy to make Firman and other famous famous and successful artistes.

Over the years, Sabahans who had reached the AF finals included Lotter, Adam, Felix, Linda, Marsha and Violet.


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Daily Express need to get the fact right. 

1. There is three Sabahans who had crown as Akademi Fantasia Champion. Stacy Angie (AF6), Faizul (AF10) and the latest one Firman (AF2014).

2. I believed there is no contestant name Violet, there only close-match is Velvet.

3. Sabahans who has reached finals is:

AF2

- Linda (First runner-up)

- Adam (Second runner-up)

AF3

- Felix (First runner-up)

- Marsha (4th Place)

AF4

- Lotter (First runner-up)

- Velvet (5th place)

AF5

- Ebi (First runner-up)

- Candy (5th Place)

AF6

- Stacy (Champion)

AF7

- None

AF8

- Adira (First runner-up)

AF9 

- Lena (First runner-up)

AF10

- Faizul (Champion)

AF 2014

- Firman (Champion)

- Adel (5th place)