A minister described some of Astro's programmes as "repulsive" while announcing that the satellite television service provider will soon be brought under the control of domestic laws.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Rais Yatim said that Astro, unlike the country's five terrestrial stations, is not regulated by any local law.

While he said that Astro does exercise some form of self-censorship over its programmes, the public are not happy with the degree.

Claiming that programmes broadcast by Astro do not reflect Malaysian values, Rais proposed that the government brings the service provider under its purview.

"Astro should be under the supervision of domestic laws... so that it will be more prudent, and its content conforms with Malaysian (values) and the value systems of the East," said Rais.

The minister said that he will raise the matter in the cabinet after doing some "homework" on the service provider.

"We need to tell Astro to be more cautious in terms of its content," he said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

"A large segment of Malaysia society considers the type of (Astro) entertainment as rather repulsive. That is where we have to come up with a solution."

Overwhelmed by Bollywood

Rais claimed that Hollywood and Bollywood movies broadcast by Astro are "overwhelming" local movies and that this will negatively affect Malaysia's cultural products.

He suggested that the information ministry, energy, water and communications ministry as well as his ministry should co-operate to ensure the quality of Astro's programmes.

Rais was elaborating on his response to a question in the Dewan Rakyat raised by Ismail Noh (PAS-Pasir Mas), who asked whether the country had formulated a national entertainment policy and whether Islamic views had been considered in combating social ills.

Rais answered that no national policy on entertainment is being planned by government.