The lone alternative voice of Sarawak, Radio Free Sarawak (RFS), is set to return to the airwaves this week.

The undeground station says that its new launch will see more programmes to cater to a wider audience in Sarawak.

azlan “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.

“However, it will also address urban and Malaysia-wide issues in recognition of its popular following among Internet users and listeners from other states,” it said in a press statement today.

RFS is operated out of the UK and is highly critical of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud which has held the post for 30 years.

azlan The brains behind the station, journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown and social activist Peter John Jaban, has initially ran the station anonymously but later revealed their identities after receiving death threats.

The station’s broadcasts on controversial native issues have also prompted an investigation by the government against it.

It was also jammed by a hired agent in Belgium during the Sarawak state election earlier this year.

RFS in its statement promised to continue providing an alternative platform to government-controlled broadcast and print media which “only exist to praise and promote Taib”.

The show this season will kick off with a two hour daily timeslot from 6pm to 8pm featuring Sarawakian personalities on the short wave band 17560 kHz and will also be available on www.radiofreesarawak.org .