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BRICKFIELDS – Astro, in collaboration with Warnakala Studios, hosted a special Didi & Friends Storytime session for children from the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) and the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) communities, welcoming over 200 attendees from the blind and deaf communities.
The event was graced by Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Binti Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development; Pathmanathan A/L R. Nalasamy, Director of the Department for the Development of Person with Disabilities (JPOKU), Department of Social Welfare; Agnes Rozario, Astro Chief Content Officer of Astro; Ched Yusaiddi, Chief Commercial Officer of Warnakala Studios; Dato’ George Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of MAB; Ched Yusaiddi, Chief Commercial Officer of Warnakala Studios; and Foo Su Lynn, Director of Communications and Sustainability of Astro.
Designed to spark imagination and encourage a love for reading, the event featured a variety of engaging activities tailored for children of all abilities. Astro has consistently prioritized safe and enriching content for young audiences, and is expanding this commitment by embedding inclusivity and accessibility in its programming.
Building on the success of last year’s Dari Mata Turun Ke Hati, Malaysia’s first local production featuring audio description, Astro continues to advance its inclusive content strategy. This year, the focus shifts to children’s programming, with the new season of Didi & Friends: Storytime! set to include an audiobook version—making storytelling more accessible and enjoyable for children with visual impairments. This initiative underscores Astro’s commitment to ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, can experience the joy of quality content.
Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Binti Shukri, the Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development said, “The Didi & Friends: Storytime series is a wonderful example of how media can support early literacy. Through engaging storytelling, it nurtures a love for reading among children while also supporting language development, imagination, and lifelong learning. Importantly, its inclusive approach ensures that children of all abilities can participate and benefit. Initiatives like this play a vital role in shaping a generation that is literate, creative, confident, and empathetic.”
Highlights of the event included an interactive storytelling session led by popular personality ‘Abang Paan’, alongside lively performances by the beloved Didi & Friends mascots. To ensure accessibility for the Deaf community, live interpretation in Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM) was provided by interpreters from the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD). A special preview of the upcoming Didi & Friends audiobook was also presented. In a continued effort to promote inclusivity, Astro collaborated with MFD to produce a dedicated episode and song from Didi & Friends featuring integrated BIM interpretation. This inclusive version was showcased during the event, reflecting Astro’s commitment to making content more accessible and representative of Malaysia’s diverse communities.
Agnes Rozario, Chief Content Officer of Astro said, “This initiative reflects Astro’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, safe, and engaging content for children of all abilities, while promoting positive values such as kindness, empathy, and mutual respect through storytelling and interactive activities.”
“As Astro continues to evolve as Malaysia’s leading content and entertainment company, we remain deeply committed to shaping a media landscape that reflects the richness and diversity of our community. By investing in inclusive storytelling and producing accessible, locally driven content, we aim to create content that not only entertains, but also uplifts, educates, and unites,” she continued.
All episodes of Didi & Friends: Storytime audio series will be launched exclusively on the Syok app in conjunction with the Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations. The first 6 episodes will be released on 31 August 2025, while the remaining 6 episodes will be available starting 16 September 2025. Download the Syok app now for free!
What makes this audiobook project special is that 12 Astro personalities including radio announcers, hosts, and popular actors have lent their voices as narrators for all episodes of the Didi & Friends Storytime audiobook.
The characters and their narrators include:
Hani Fadzil (Mix) as Arnab & Kura-Kura | Anas Tahir (Zayan) as Monyet & Lada | Aswad (Gegar) as Semut & Belalang | Sarah Karmila (Sinar) as Pengembala & Serigala | Nicky Alias (Era Sabah) as Tiga Anak Ayam & Serigala | Shasha Nadira (Era) as Si Tudung Merah | Azri Safik as Singa & Tikus | Amira Rafik as Singa & Musang | Aiman Ameer as Kancil & Buaya | Myra Afrina as Anak Itik Yang Istimewa | Hawa Rizwana as Jack & Kacang Ajaib (Part 1) | Abang Paan as Jack & Kacang Ajaib (Part 2)
Stream all episodes of the new season Didi & Friends: Story Time, every Friday, 3PM on Astro Ceria, Astro Go and sooka.
