KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei added another feather to his cap when he was named the Most Popular Icon On Television by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) yesterday.

The sportsman won the award by garnering a viewership of around 2.6 million during the London 2012 Olympics badminton finals, beating even popular entertainers and political figures.

“This award encourages me to do better,” said Chong Wei in a pre-recorded video as he was unable to accept the award in person.

Meanwhile, last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup football match between Malaysia and Indonesia was declared the highest rated programme of 2012. It commanded a viewership of about 3.2 million.

RTM marketing and promotion director Mohd Roffee Mohamad said this was the first time that the awards were being conferred.

“The awards are a way of thanking Datuk Lee Chong Wei and the Harimau Malaya team for uniting Malaysians from all walks of life,” he said.

“Political, religious and socio-economic differences were put aside as we tuned in to support these local athletes,” he added.

The awards were presented during the RTM Media Screening 2013 at the Sime Darby Convention Centre.

Information Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf officiated the annual event.

“As RTM moves into the second decade of the 21st century, it is imperative for RTM to also move with the times,” he said, adding that viewers could expect a fresh line-up of local and international programmes this year.

The 2012 remake of the 1970s soap opera Dallas and local drama Maskara, starring Malaysia’s popular actress Lisa Surihani, are among the programmes slated to air on TV1 and TV2.

RTM, which has purchased a new election reporting system costing over RM2mil, also promised to provide viewers with the most comprehensive coverage of the 13th General Election.

The event ended with a round of lucky draws where prizes such as smartphones, including the latest iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy SIII plus and the grand prize of a Chery Tiggo, were given away.

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