MIRI: Community leaders and non-governmental organisations here want the Iban radio programme ‘Ngela Tengahari’ to remain as a programme that is broadcast statewide.
They say that the programme is not only popular amongst listeners, but also important for the Iban community, especially those in the rural areas, to get updates on current developments.
The Ngela Tengahari programme by RTM Sarawak, which started as a statewide programme, is now being locally broadcast and only reaches listeners within the respective broadcasting area.
Wilson Atong Limping
Iban community leader Temenggong Wilson Atong Limping said he disagrees with the new broadcasting system which was implemented by RTM Sarawak starting Aug 1.
He said WAIfm, a popular Iban language channel that reached listeners statewide when it was first introduced, has now become a localised station that can only be heard by listeners within the radio station’s area.
“WAIfm should have its own channel to air programmes that can be heard statewide and not only confined to certain areas.
“Right now, WAIfm can only be heard by listeners in Kuching up to Serian, but not in other locations,” he lamented when speaking to The Borneo Post recently.
Atong said through WAIfm, the Iban community across Sarawak especially in rural areas could get updates as well as the latest information on government policies, news and current issues, and entertainment.
He added that WAIfm has also been a platform for listeners to send important messages or news to their family members and relatives throughout the state.
“Understanding the needs and the relevance of this radio station to the people and the Iban community in Sarawak, I would like to appeal to RTM Sarawak and its new director to restudy the move and not limit the radio programme to certain areas only,” he said.
Maxwell Tambi
Meanwhile, Tuai Rumah Maxwell Tambi from Sungai Libai, Niah said not all longhouses have good telecommunication coverage unlike in the city.
Because of this, they rely fully on radio stations to send important messages including news on death of family members, especially to relatives in rural areas who cannot be reached via conventional telecommunication methods, he said.
“It’s not that local stations are not good, but listeners in Miri would like to hear messages or news of family members or relatives in different parts of the state as well.
“They are also not able to hear news about a death of a relative or family member in different parts of the state because of the limited coverage. The Miri local station will only cover listeners in areas from Miri to Suai,” he said.
Maxwell said in view of this and on behalf of the residents in his area, he is appealing to the management of RTM Sarawak to resume statewide coverage of the Ngela Tengahari programme so that it can be heard by listeners of RTM Miri, RTM Bintulu, RTM Sibu and RTM Sri Aman like how it was when it first started.
Ayai Sawing
For Tuai Rumah Ayai Sawing from Saeh, Niah who is also the vice president of Legacy Teresang Dayak Association, he said the Dayak community has all this while been relying on radio stations for important messages as well as updates on current issues.
He said the Ngela Tengahari programme was one of the most important radio programmes which the Iban community throughout the state looked forward to.
“Throughout the one-hour programme, we can get various kinds of information and news on government policies as well as important messages from family members. This programme covers our needs as radio listeners in Sarawak,” he said.
Therefore, he said the move by RTM Sarawak to limit the coverage of the programme and making it localised to respective RTM stations is regretful.
Serawa Budol
Miri Port Authority general manager Serawa Budol, who is also Dayak Association Miri president, said Iban radio stations such as WAIfm should be given statewide coverage so that government policies and important information can reach all Sarawakians, especially the targeted groups.
“This includes news on further study opportunities at public and private higher learning institutions and other related information that are useful for students, especially those in rural areas where internet and telecommunication coverage is poor.
“Apart from that, the radio station also highlights programmes on motivation, the economy and others which can help the Iban community in the state to be more competitive in improving their standard of living,” she pointed out.
In fact, Serawa opined that WAIfm must have its own channel so that all its programmes can reach listeners in the state including in remote areas.
“This is not only for the good of the Iban community but also other Dayak communities, as the Iban language is also easily understood by other Dayak ethnics.”
The Borneo Post was informed that WAIfm Iban ranked top in the weekly performance of the ‘10 Best Live Broadcast’ via Mylink online channel nationwide for Week 31 (July 27 to Aug 2), with 13,770 listeners.
The 13,770 listeners are those who use the Mylink online service to follow the programme. This figure does not include those who listen to the programme directly on their radio.
Second place in the chart for the same week was KELANTANfm with 11,773 listeners, followed by JOHORfm in third with 7,540 listeners. SARAWAKfm with only 2,935 listeners in Mylink was in ninth place.