KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC ON! host Azwan Ali, who was dropped from the reality show produced by Awesome TV last Tuesday, has been fully paid, despite serving only six of its 10 weeks.
Awesome TV chief executive officer Datuk Adam Ilyas said that Azwan's allegation that the station did not fully pay him was baseless.
"We paid Azwan Ali in full for his 10-week job as the co-host of MIC ON! Payment was made on March 8, the same day we terminated his service," said Adam in a statement today.
"He served for only 6 out of 10 weeks, but we paid him the full amount of fees. On the same day, we also sent him a letter annnouncing his termination as a host."
Adam added that the issue had been settled and they did not want to prolong it.
"Our focus is to complete the current season of MIC ON! which has four more weeks to go," he said.
Adam also said that they would not introduce a new co-host to replace Azwan.
"We will instead introduce guest hosts to team up with the permanent host Issey Fazlisham every week."
On Tuesday, Awesome TV said in a statement that it had decided to remove Azwan with immediate effect, and Issey would continue as the sole host of the programme which combines singing and comedy.
The statement said that Awesome TV did not compromise when it came to discipline and ethics.
Azwan said that he was not surprised with the decision, and described his removal as "neither gain nor loss" for himself.
He also claimed that Awesome TV owed him fees, and urged them to pay him as promised.
MIC ON! which is now in its second season is screened at 9pm on Fridays on Awesome TV (Astro 123). The reality show involves three celebrities and their five-member teams of contestants performing songs and comedy sketches in several rounds, before a weekly winner is determined.
Popular singers Mas Idayu, Datuk Hattan and Datuk Awie are the show's permanent judges, while the celebrities are comedians Fad Bocey, Ropie and Ajak Shiro who coach their team members in preparation for every assignment.