PETALING JAYA: Popular TV personality Ras Adiba Radzi (pic) is contemplating the next move against her employers, NTV7 and Media Prima, following a suspension after she cropped her hair for a cancer awareness campaign by the National Cancer Council Malaysia (Makna).
Ras Adiba, who works on a freelance basis for the TV station, cut her hair on Friday to show her solidarity with Makna's Jom Botak cancer awareness campaign.
She had pledged to raise RM50,000 in donations for the charity.
"I am still not sure what I should do next. I am considering whether or not I should appeal against the decision and I hope to meet my bosses soon to discuss the matter."
News on her suspension went abuzz on social networking sites, yesterday, following news that she had been suspended from going on air.
Ras Adiba told The Malay Mail that she was still allowed to write scripts and do voice overs for the TV station.
"NTV7 knew of my intention to crop my hair for charity as I had informed them about it on June 21. But I would not go on air if I had my hair cropped.
"It was a risk I was willing to take as I believed in the cause that I was championing and I went on with my plans on June 22.
"My willingness to crop my hair showed my passion to raise funds for charity."
She said she was touched by the support from the public who respected her willingness to crop her hair especially via social networking sites.
"There were people who did not agree with my decision and I respect their views as we are living in a multiracial and religious country.
"I hope the buzz will help create awareness and raise funds for Makna," she said.
Despite the support, Ras Adiba said she was prepared to venture elsewhere if her services were no longer needed by the TV station.
"If I have no luck with NTV7 for which I've been reading the news since 2008,
I could read news overseas. Perhaps people there would appreciate me more."
Ras Adiba, 44, who is wheelchair--bound had earlier served TV3 as a broadcast journalist and presenter from 1988 to 2002.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Heng Sai Kee said she would meet Ras Adiba soon.
Heng said Ras Adiba had been working closely with the ministry in several programmes.
"I would like to discuss the matter with her and get a clearer picture on what had transpired," Heng said.