Star RFM chairperson Linda Ngiam today denied that yesterday's suspensions of Hi Malaysia host Jamaluddin Ibrahim's and five other staff members were due to intervention from owners MCA.

During a press conference at Star RFM's office, Ngiam described the issue as purely a "management problem", and parried away perceptions that the suspensions were made due to MCA's political pressure.

 

NONE “We do not listen to any political master (on) what we should or should not do,” she declared.

Ngiam ( left ) noted that the programme will continue without discussions and call-ins from listeners, and helmed by different deejays.

Ngiam said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) officer came at around 10am and had a brief informal talk with the MCA-owned station’s deejays.

She said the MCMC had also issued a letter to the station, claiming that they found the morning programme carried biased and unbalanced reporting, used coarse language and was overall “indecent”.

Ngiam said the MCMC, through the letter, advised the station to air content that is “not too controversial” to avoid upsetting the sensitivities of various races and religions.

She noted however that they are still looking into the alleged breach of MCMC guidelines by the programme’s deejays, and hopes to get the MCMC’s help to “nail down” which segment of the programme carried the offensive content.

azlan

"There are still many other topics to cover such as baby dumping and education... those are very important as well," she added. 

Hi Malaysia host Jamaluddin Ibrahim was suspended indefinitely yesterday after the MCMC sent its letter to the 988 management.

Not long after, 988 chief executive officer Wong Lai Ngo and senior programme manager Tan Chia Yong were suspended later the same day by Star RFM. Three more hosts were also taken off the air.

MCMC: Suspensions an internal matter

Meanwhile, in statement posted this evening on their website, the MCMC said they were investigating Star RFM Sdn Bhd's 98.8 FM radio station for a breach of licence conditions.

"MCMC has received complaint ( sic ) against the content that was broadcast on Aug 13 by the radio station operated by Star RFM Sdn Bhd which may contain content that may upset the sensibilities and sentiments of races in this country.

"Accordingly, SKMM evaluated the complaint and proceeded to investigate the radio station. The purpose of the investigation is to establish whether there is an offence committed.

"Upon completion of the investigation, the case would be referred to attorney-general for further action."

MCMC said that the suspension of the radio station’s DJs and management staff were an ‘internal matter’ which it is unable to comment upon.

"MCMC’s concern is only on the compliance of the licence condition to ensure there is no future breach.

"Issues relating to staffing is an internal matter within the organisation (the station) to which MCMC is unable to comment," read its statement.

VIDEO | 5-MIN