Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong bows his head in front of a picture of his father and Singapore’s former leader Lee Kuan Yew during the latter’s funeral at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore March 29, 2015. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — Astro Awani’s live telecast of the state funeral for Lee Kuan Yew today drew anger from some Malaysians who questioned the satellite broadcast channel’s purpose in giving such prominent airplay to Singapore’s founding father.

In airing their grievances on Astro Awani’s Facebook page — some of which were riddled with expletives — the upset subscribers accused the Malaysian channel of being “pro-Singapore” in according full coverage to a political leader whom they felt did not impact Malaysia’s history or development.

“I paid so much not for you people (Astro) to do a live coverage of this apek. If it is a Quranic recital or Ustad Azhar Idrus, I don’t mind but this? Might as well cancel my Astro subscription,” said one Facebook user who went by the moniker Paksu Yg Punyerr in Bahasa Malaysia.

In a profane-laden vitriolic rant against the Malay-language broadcast channel, Facebooker Shahrul Azyzy Suria Ahmad posted in the national language, “ASTRO P***MAK, WANT TO LIFT EVEN THIS SINGAPORE COMMUNIST STOOGE,,, WHAT IS HIS CONTRIBUTION TO ISLAM IN SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA?”

Lee was known to be a fierce anti-communist.

Another commenter, Fairus Salleh questioned Lee’s “importance” to Malaysia and Astro Awani’s choice of news coverage.

“Come one, Awani, why do this coverage? Is he that important. What did he do for this country?

“Might as well provide news coverage of problems affecting the people,” Fairus said, also in Malay.

Lights are dimmed as attendees stand for a moment of silence for former leader Lee Kuan Yew at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore March 29, 2015. — Reuters pic Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong turns to leave as the casket is being carried off during the funeral service at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore March 29, 2015. — Reuters pic Former US president Bill Clinton (left to right), Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive for the funeral service at the NUS University Cultural Centre, March 29, 2015. — Reuters pic People attending the funeral of Singapore’s former leader Lee Kuan Yew stand at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore March 29, 2015. — Reuters pic Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivers an address at the funeral of his father and Singapore’s former leader Lee Kuan Yew at the NUS Cultural Centre, March 29, 2015. — Reuters pic Pallbearers carry the coffin of Singapore’s former leader Lee Kuan Yew during his funeral at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore March 29, 2015. — Reuters pic The funeral cortege carrying the body of Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew drives past the old Supreme Court in Singapore March 29, 2015. — Reuters pic People wait for the state funeral of late stateman and former premier Lee Kuan Yew outside Parliament House in Singapore, March 29, 2015. — AFP pic Singapore policemen block a road leading to the National University of Singapore where the funeral service for Singapore’s former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew will be held, March 29, 2015. — AFP pic Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (front) waves as he arrives at Parliament House for the state funeral of late statesman and former premier Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, March 29, 2015. — AFP pic People wait for the state funeral of late stateman and former premier Lee Kuan Yew outside Parliament House in Singapore, March 29, 2015. — AFP pic People queue up to pay their respects to the late first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Padang grounds outside the Parliament House in Singapore, March 28 2015. — Reuters pic People queue up to pay their respects to the late first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Padang grounds outside the Parliament House in Singapore March 28 2015. — Reuters pic People queue up to pay their respects to the late first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Padang grounds outside the Parliament House in Singapore March 28 2015. — Reuters pic People pay their respects to the late first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at a community tribute site in Singapore March 28 2015. — Reuters pic Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger pays his respects to the late first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew beside wife of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Ho Ching, at the Parliament House in Singapore March 28 2015. — Reuters pic Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (front) bows after signing a condolences book for the late Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister of Singapore, at the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo March 24, 2015. ― Reuters pic Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks to the media after signing a condolences book for the late Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister of Singapore, at the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo March 24, 2015. ― Reuters pic Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong looks at flowers placed in tribute to the late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew outside the Istana in Singapore March 24, 2015. ― Reuters pic Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong looks at a board of tributes penned for the late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew outside the Istana in Singapore March 24, 2015. ― Reuters pic Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (centre right) lookd on as members of the Security Command arrive carrying the body of the late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Sri Temasek at the Istana in this handout supplied by Lee Hsien Loong's Facebook Page March 23, 2015. ― Reuters pic Flowers are placed in tribute to the late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew outside the Parliament House in Singapore March 24, 2015. ― Reuters pic A woman places flowers in tribute to the late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew outside the Parliament House in Singapore March 24, 2015. ― Reuters pic People pay their respects to the late former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at Tanjong Pagar community club, in the constituency which Lee represented as Member of Parliament since 1955, in Singapore March 24, 2015. ― Reuters pic Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah pays his respects to the late Lee Kuan Yew next to Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka Shing (2nd left) pays his respects to the late Lee Kuan Yew at the Istana in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic People queue up to pen their condolences as they mourn the passing of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew outside the Istana in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic A man reads a newspaper bearing the image of Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, at Raffles Place in Singapore, March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic Special editions of newspapers bearing images of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew are sold and distributed at the central business district in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic Special editions of newspapers bearing the images of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew are sold and distributed at the central business district in Singapore March 23, 2015. Special editions of newspapers bearing images of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew are sold and distributed at the central business district in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic A woman reads a newspaper bearing the image of Singapore’s former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, at Raffles Place in Singapore, March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic The hearse carrying the body of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew arrives at the Istana in Singapore, March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic Mourners gather at the Singapore General Hospital to pay tribute to the late Lee Kuan Yew on March 23, 2015. — TODAY pic Mourners gather at the Singapore General Hospital to pay tribute to the late Lee Kuan Yew on March 23, 2015. — TODAY pic The state flag is pictured at half-mast as the National Pledge is recited during morning assembly at Raffles Girls Secondary School in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic The state flag is pictured at half-mast as the National Pledge is recited during morning assembly at Raffles Girls Secondary School in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic Indian national Anand Ashiya, 67, pens a tribute for Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, March 23 2015. — TODAY pic Members of the public pen tributes for Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, March 23, 2015. — TODAY pic Members of the public pen tributes for Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore, March 23, 2015. — TODAY pic People pen their condolences on the passing of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, outside the Istana in Singapore, March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic People lay flowers, as they mourn the passing of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, outside the Istana in Singapore, March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, one of the towering figures of post-colonial Asian politics, died today in hospital. Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, one of the towering figures of post-colonial Asian politics, died today in hospital. Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, one of the towering figures of post-colonial Asian politics, died today in hospital. Lee Kuan Yew climbs up the steps at the City Council Chambers following the People's Action Party's (PAP) win in the national elections in Singapore in this file still image taken from video June, 1959. — Reuters pic Lee Kuan Yew, former prime minister of Singapore, speaks during an interview at the Istana in Singapore in this December 9, 2008 file photo. — Reuters pic Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew arrives for a talk session at a luncheon organised by City Bank in Dubai in this November 17, 2005 file photo. — Reuters pic Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) smiles as he attends the LKY School of Public Policy 7th anniversary dialogue session in Singapore in this September 14, 2011 file photo. — Reuters pic Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew reacts to a question during a news conference in Kuala Lumpur in this September 5, 2001 file photo. — Reuters pic Lee Kuan Yew smiles after the People's Action Party (PAP) won in Singapore's national elections in this still image taken from video in this May, 1959 file photo. — Reuters pic Lee Kuan Yew speaks during a ceremony to sign the separation agreement, which discussed Singapore's post-separation relations with Malaysia, in this still image taken from video in this August 7, 1965 file photo. — Reuters pic A woman passes a picture of former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, placed at a well-wishing corner at the Singapore General Hospital in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic A woman takes photos of cards for former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, placed at a well-wishing corner at the Singapore General Hospital in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic Lawrence Hee, 68, arrives amongst the first mourners for former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, at a well-wishing corner at the Singapore General Hospital in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic The state flag is pictured at half-mast at the Parliament building in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic A card for Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew lies at a well-wishing corner at the Singapore General Hospital in Singapore March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic A woman and her daughters cry as they mourn the passing of former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, at a well-wishing corner at the Singapore General Hospital, March 23, 2015. — Reuters pic Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) smiles as he attends the LKY School of Public Policy 7th anniversary dialogue session in Singapore in this September 14, 2011 file photo. — Reuters pic Previous Next

Facebook user Mohd Azril Abdul Aziz went a step further, and accused Astro Awani of pandering to Singaporean interests.

“Why is Astro Awani being pro-Singapore, don’t have to do a live telecast of a dead Chinese. If it was the passing of a Malay ruler it is fine... Astro Astro, we are Malaysians in Asean why the need to do this to pay respects... Chinese will be Chinese,” Mohd Azril said.

But some other Facebook users appeared uncomfortable with the tone of the general comments aimed at Astro Awani and urged for calm and respect for the late Lee.

“LKY (Lee Kuan Yew) was one of those who fought for independence of Malaya and the Straits Settlements. He was part of our pre-1965 history,” said Andrew Yeong Endroo G.

Astro Awani had posted a message on its Facebook page in Malay earlier this morning informing viewers to tune in to Channel 501 and its website to follow the live broadcast of Lee’s state funeral procession in Singapore from 12.30pm.

Lee, who transformed Singapore from a backwater to one of Asia’s richest nations in three decades died on March 23 after being admitted to hospital for severe pneumonia. He was 91.

Astro Awani has yet to respond to queries from Malay Mail Online over the matter.