Satellite television service provider Astro has revoked its controversial plan to start charging Chinese-programme subscribers a new rate for its new Emperor package next month, following an outcry over the 'unfair' deal.

The company today said it would o­nly effect an upgrade at subscribers' request for the new package. The amended notice was posted o­n the company's website yesterday.

Call to subscribe

Astro's policy change was forced by complaints by subscribers who were irked by its decision to raise the charge for the package. Those who wished to opt out had to inform the company by April 21.

Contacted today, an Astro spokesperson said the company is now assuming that customers do not want to subscribe to the Emperor package if they do not respond..

"If they want to subscribe, they can do so by giving us a call," said the spokesperson who declined to be named.

However, the spokesperson declined to confirm when Astro will start blocking access to the Emperor package channels (which are currently provided free), saying o­nly that a response would be communicated later.

According to Astro's website, addition of the Emperor 'Super' package will raise the charge by RM69.95 monthly. At present, charges for two other 'super' packages o­n offer - Dynasty and Movies - range between RM25 and RM30.

An earlier proposal by Astro to repackage popular Mandarin-language channel, Phoenix, from the Dynasty package to the Emperor package was also scrapped after consumers protested the move.

Based o­n Astro's channel listings o­n its website, the Phoenix channel will be available in both packages.

In the past two weeks, malaysiakini has received numerous letters from irate subscribers complaining about Astro's recent business practices.

'Unscrupulous tactics'

Meanwhile, DAP Youth International Secretary John Chung welcomed Astro's assurance that its customers would not be "upgraded unfairly and without their express consent".

"In the first place, Astro should not even have entertained the thought of employing such unfair and unscrupulous sales tactic and we certainly hope that such a thing will not happen in future again," he said in a press statement.

Chung criticised the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry for keeping mum o­n the issue despite having received complaints over Astro's practices.

"The DAP had earlier highlighted the issue including lodging a formal complaint. We are unhappy that the ministry did not publicly comment o­n the issue which concerns consumer interests," he said..

"In fact, DAP was informed by a consumer that he had previously made a complaint to the ministry about this dissatisfaction with Astro but had not received any reply although six months had passed."

Chung said the ministry should be more vigilant in protecting consumer rights and interest, adding that it should have responded speedily to public complaints.