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.
