KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — As Malaysia makes it to the Thomas Cup finals after a 12-year wait, Khairy Jamaluddin pleaded with local satellite broadcaster Astro today to waive a RM4 million it will cost national broadcaster RTM to air the world badminton champpionship “live” tomorrow.

Taking to Twitter, the youth and sports minister said he had only just found out that it will cost RTM RM4million to obtain the broadcasting rights to the game.

He added that while state-owned RTM had funds set for broadcasting rights, it had all been spent on football’s biggest tournament, the World Cup 2014, hosted by Brazil next month.

“Jadi saya merayu pada ASTRO, hadiahkan sahaja hak siaran supaya semua dapat menyaksikan final Piala Thomas!” he posted on his Twitter account, ‏@Khairykj, and ending with the hashtag, #ThomasCup4All.

[Translation: “So I plead with Astro, just gift the broadcasting rights so that all can watch the Thomas Cup final!”

Malaysia, enjoying a new wind in its sails, beat badminton powerhouse Indonesia 3-0 to secure a spot in the Thomas Cup finals after a 12-year-long dry spell.

At the Siri Fort Stadium in New Delhi, India tomorrow, Malaysia will be facing off against Japan which similarly pulled an amazing upset against Asian giant, China.

Malaysia last reached the final in 2002 in Guangzhou, China but lost 2-3 to Indonesia .

In the quarter-finals, Malaysia’s badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei trounced Tommy Sugiarto 21-19, 21-13 in the first singles. The first doubles pair Tan Boon Heong/Hoon Thien How chalked a stunning victory over world champions Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan 21-19, 8-21, 32-21.

Second singles Chong Wei Feng thrashed Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka 21-10, 21-17 to give the much needed win after more than a decade to put Malaysia in final.

China has been the reigning Thomas Cup champion for the last five editions.