RFS ‘poisoning mentality’ of rural Dayaks

Barisan Nasional leaders in rural Sarawak want the government to clamp down on Radio Free Sarawak broadcast.

KUCHING: Barisan Nasional grassroots leaders, increasingly disconcerted by the reach of Radio FreeSarawak (RFS) in the interior of Sarawak, are claiming that the news aired by the Internet broadcasting network is “poisoning” the “mentality” of the native Dayaks.

“The radio is rubbish and it may destroy the mentality of the Ibans and the Dayak community as a whole,” said a local pro-government leaderpemanca (chief), Wilson Siang Lim.

He said before RFS does more damage, the government must clamp down on the widely popular broadcasts.

“Before RFS spreads more ill-will, the government must take action,” he said.

RFS broadcasts daily from London from 6pm to 8pm on SW 15420 KHz to Sarawak, especially the rural areas.

Since its first launch in 2010, RFS has gone on to become a “leader” in alternative radio-news broadcast with call-ins from locals highlighting BN’s lies, broken promises, rampant corruption, and abuse of power.

Locals have also called in to register their protests against the government’s contentious hydro-electric dam projects and land grabs by the state government, ignoring their native customary rights (NCR) status.

Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat has called on the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to restrict the frequency of RFS.

Lamat, who apparently has been listening to RFS, said the news clips were discrediting the government.

‘Refute RFS stories’

He said the radio channel broadcasted in the Iban language was introduced by the opposition party to condemn the government ahead of the 13th general election.

“We urge related agencies to take immediate action to stop RFS from spreading lies by restricting its radio frequency,” Lamat said recently.

He said the opposition was using RFS to fish for votes.

“RFS was spreading false information with elements of sedition and defamation to rural voters. This is part of their strategy to fish for votes,” he said .

He urged inhabitants in longhouses in Sarawak to bar opposition members who promote the radio channel.

But unknown to Lamat, RFS is where the rural people phone in their complaints and pour out their grievances.

Chastising Lamat for his “advice” to natives, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said: “This is indeed a very destructive and uncalled-for advice.

“Firstly, it is an affront to the longhouse culture of welcoming any person notwithstanding backgrounds, race, religion and political affiliation.

“Secondly, such statement is going to cause ill-feelings among residents of longhouses, which should not be the case as anybody is free to give support to any political party.

“Supporting political ideologies is legal in Malaysia.

“Thirdly, if RFS is not telling the truth, refute it. BN has all the means to refute any purported lies, but don’t plant seeds of discord by destroying our culture.

“Perhaps, the truth hurts,” said Bian, who is the Ba’Kelalan assemblyman.

Taken from Free Malaysia Today - http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/04/26/rfs-poisoning-mentality-of-rural-dayaks/

Radio Free Sarawak is back

KUCHING: Radio Free Sarawak is back this week with an expanded team and greater ambitions

The show kicks off with a two hour daily time slot from 6 – 8 pm on the Short Wave band 17560 kHz. It will also be available free online via the website http://radiofreesarawak.org/.

“As before, the station will continue to focus on the concerns and interests of the ordinary people of Sarawak, mainly rural folk, who currently have no access to an independent news source,” said Peter John, who called himself as ‘Papa Orang Utan’.

“However, it will also address urban and Malaysia-wide issues in recognition of its popular following among internet users and listeners from other states. Radio Free Sarawak will provide an alternative platform to the government-controlled broadcast and print media, which only exists to praise and promote the Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud, and neglects such issues as land-grabs, enfranchisement and corruption.

“The station will reach out and listen to the voices of the people of Sarawak and work on exposing the problems that have resulted in Malaysia’s richest state becoming home to many of its poorest people.

“Expect to hear voices also from the opposition parties, who achieved nearly half the votes at the state election (despite BN vote rigging), but who never get adequate recognition from the licenced media.

“And, of course there will be plenty of music and entertainment with the return of popular D Jays Papa Orang Utan (who will host the Sunday show), Kakak Burung Tiong, along with a new voice leading day time news coverage, Michael Ngau,” John said.

RFS was very actively before and during the state election in April and had become a household word in the rural areas with their very ‘spicy’ information on corruption, abuses of power and cronyism alleged carried out by the state government and its leaders.

It also carried out ‘live’ interviews with the government and opposition leaders, activists, NGO leaders as well as with the ordinary people.

Following its constant ‘attacks’ on the state BN leaders especially Taib, several reports have been lodged by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) against ‘Papa Orang Utan’.

Both Minister of Home Affairs Hishamuddin Tun Hussein and Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and culture Joseph Salang have promised to look into the complaints.

John said that after a lapse of about five months, RFS is back because of the coming general election, adding that it will expose corruption, abuse of power and cronyism without fear or favour.