By Clara Chooi
August 20, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) explained today that it was not responsible for the removal of several individuals from Mandarin radio station 98.8 FM and was merely investigating it for allegedly breaching licence conditions.
In a media statement this evening, the MCMC said its investigations had kicked off following complaints that the station had allegedly aired content that may “upset the sensibilities and sentiments of races in the country”.
“Following several complaints received by MCMC on the morning programme, the radio station, Star Rfm Sdn Bhd (98.8 FM) is being investigated for breach of licence conditions.
“MCMC has also informed the station regarding the complaints received,” the commission said.
It added that Star Rfm, a subsidiary belonging to The Star Publications (M) Bhd, holds the Content Applications Service Provider – Individual (CASP-I) which requires its compliance to licence conditions.
“This includes prohibition on providing content which may upset the sensibilities and sentiments of any race or religion in this country,” it said in the statement.
It also explained that the MCMC had received complaints against the content broadcasted by the station on August 13 this year, with claims that it had contained sensitive material.
“Accordingly, MCMC evaluated the complaint and proceeded to investigate the radio station. The purpose of the investigation is to establish whether there is an offence committed,” it said.
The statement did not specify when it would conclude its investigations but assured that once this was completed, it would hand over the matter to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.
“Any decision with regards to this investigation will be communicated in due course, in accordance with the provision in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 or other relevant laws,” it said.
The commission also gave its assurance that its only concern in the matter was on the station’s compliance with the licence conditions and to ensure that there would not be any future breach.
It then stressed that staffing issues resulting from the investigation was purely the jurisdiction of the station’s management and not the MCMC’s.
“Issues relating to staffing of any licensee is an internal matter within the organisation. The MCMC is unable to comment.
“Any actions taken by the MCMC will be in accordance with the licence conditions for radio stations and provisions under any relevant laws,” it said.
Deejay Jamaluddin Ibrahim, who hosts the “Hello Malaysia” breakfast programme, was told by the station to take a leave of absence on Wednesday following a letter from the MCMC.
He was alleged to have touched on racially sensitive issues during the programme last week when popular columnist Oyoung Wen Feng was invited to speak on issues pertaining to racial discrimination.
Following his removal, Jamaluddin’s colleagues on the station caused a bigger stir yesterday when they wept openly on-air while discussing the issue.
They also turned the programme into a tribute to the popular host, the son of Malaysian freedom fighters the late Shamsiah Fakeh and Ibrahim Mohammed who both lived in exile in China due to their involvement in the Communist Party of Malaya.
Since then, the breakfast programme’s remaining three deejays have also been removed, while its chief executive officer Wong Lai Ngo and senior programme manager Tan Chia Yong were suspended.
It was speculated that the MCA was the silent hand behind Jamaluddin’s removal for the deejay was known to be supportive of the party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s predecessor, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.
Dr Chua has, however, denied this.
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