Morning badness
By Sherwin Loh
SHEIKH HAIKEL has been fired from his DJ job at MediaCorp Radio's Perfect 10.
The rapper-actor, who signed a one-year contract with the station in April this year, used to host Perfect 10's Morning Madness show with Daniel Ong. His last day on air was on Aug 6.
HE'S OUT: Sheikh Haikel (left) has been fired. Yesterday, co-host Daniel Ong (right) went on air with Vernon A instead.
He was sacked following a complaint about comments he had made on the show last month.
To a listener seeking advice on how to approach a girl he fancied, Haikel said he should ask her if she was wearing white panties.
A listener complained about this in a letter to the Straits Times Forum Page.
OnTuesday, the Media Development Authority (MDA) said the incident breached the Radio Programme Code. That was also the day he received a letter of termination from MediaCorp Radio.
MDA is still investigating the matter, in which Perfect 10 faces a fine of up to $50,000.
MDA is also following up on another complaint made against the same show. Another listener had written to the Forum Page saying that Morning Madness was filled with 'obscene jokes' and had 'crude comments on sex, sexual organs and sexual behaviour in almost every broadcast'.
Ong hosted the show yesterday morning with another DJ, Vernon A.
But Ong said 'farewell' at the end although he did not give any indication whether it was done in jest.
When contacted, MediaCorp Radio declined to comment on Haikel and Ong.
But in a statement issued though his management agency on Wednesday evening, Haikel, 28, apologised for the incident and asked for another chance to prove himself.
'The remarks passed were meant to be funny and to lighten up the mood of the programme and no disrespect or maliciousness was intended,' he said.
'Being a family man myself, I realise the consequences of pushing a joke too far,' said the rapper, who is married to actress Annabelle Francis, with whom he has a daughter.
When contacted yesterday, he said he was sad that he was asked to leave.
'We had a great show and I loved it a lot. I was shocked it had to happen this way but it was their decision and I respect it.'
PERFECT 10 DJ Daniel Ong has been suspended from on-air duties.
Aside from Daniel's suspension, Sheikh Haikel and Jamie Tan have also been terminated.
Ong, 28, whose last show was on Thursday, could not be reached for comment. When contacted, MediaCorp Radio declined to reveal more details.
Sheikh Haikel, 28, his co-host on the Morning Madness show, was sacked on Tuesday.
Listeners had complained about the show's lewd content to the Straits Times Forum Page. The Media Development Authority is still investigating the matter, in which Perfect 10 faces a fine of up to $50,000.
Another Perfect 10 DJ, Jamie Tan, also had her contract terminated. All three DJs were named in the letters to the Forum Page.
The new Morning Madness host is Vernon A. -- Sherwin Loh
The Straits Times
13/8, 16/8
I was :bigeyes: to hear about all this termination and suspension. i didnt know about this article till my non-listener told me abt it. no wonder vernon a. and grace chua was on air these few days... anyone morning madness listeners here? any comments?
By Sherwin Loh
SHEIKH HAIKEL has been fired from his DJ job at MediaCorp Radio's Perfect 10.
The rapper-actor, who signed a one-year contract with the station in April this year, used to host Perfect 10's Morning Madness show with Daniel Ong. His last day on air was on Aug 6.
HE'S OUT: Sheikh Haikel (left) has been fired. Yesterday, co-host Daniel Ong (right) went on air with Vernon A instead.
He was sacked following a complaint about comments he had made on the show last month.
To a listener seeking advice on how to approach a girl he fancied, Haikel said he should ask her if she was wearing white panties.
A listener complained about this in a letter to the Straits Times Forum Page.
OnTuesday, the Media Development Authority (MDA) said the incident breached the Radio Programme Code. That was also the day he received a letter of termination from MediaCorp Radio.
MDA is still investigating the matter, in which Perfect 10 faces a fine of up to $50,000.
MDA is also following up on another complaint made against the same show. Another listener had written to the Forum Page saying that Morning Madness was filled with 'obscene jokes' and had 'crude comments on sex, sexual organs and sexual behaviour in almost every broadcast'.
Ong hosted the show yesterday morning with another DJ, Vernon A.
But Ong said 'farewell' at the end although he did not give any indication whether it was done in jest.
When contacted, MediaCorp Radio declined to comment on Haikel and Ong.
But in a statement issued though his management agency on Wednesday evening, Haikel, 28, apologised for the incident and asked for another chance to prove himself.
'The remarks passed were meant to be funny and to lighten up the mood of the programme and no disrespect or maliciousness was intended,' he said.
'Being a family man myself, I realise the consequences of pushing a joke too far,' said the rapper, who is married to actress Annabelle Francis, with whom he has a daughter.
When contacted yesterday, he said he was sad that he was asked to leave.
'We had a great show and I loved it a lot. I was shocked it had to happen this way but it was their decision and I respect it.'
PERFECT 10 DJ Daniel Ong has been suspended from on-air duties.
Aside from Daniel's suspension, Sheikh Haikel and Jamie Tan have also been terminated.
Ong, 28, whose last show was on Thursday, could not be reached for comment. When contacted, MediaCorp Radio declined to reveal more details.
Sheikh Haikel, 28, his co-host on the Morning Madness show, was sacked on Tuesday.
Listeners had complained about the show's lewd content to the Straits Times Forum Page. The Media Development Authority is still investigating the matter, in which Perfect 10 faces a fine of up to $50,000.
Another Perfect 10 DJ, Jamie Tan, also had her contract terminated. All three DJs were named in the letters to the Forum Page.
The new Morning Madness host is Vernon A. -- Sherwin Loh
The Straits Times
13/8, 16/8
I was :bigeyes: to hear about all this termination and suspension. i didnt know about this article till my non-listener told me abt it. no wonder vernon a. and grace chua was on air these few days... anyone morning madness listeners here? any comments?
