The acquisition of a 50 percent stake in fledgling Internet radio station Durian FM by Redberry Sdn Bhd will not affect the station’s editorial policy, its founder Jamaluddin Ibrahim says.

Jamaluddin said he would still have the final say over content, although Redberry could make suggestions.

Redberry’s chief executive officer Siew Ka Wei allegedly enjoys close links with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, prompting critics to claim that Durian FM ’s independence would be compromised.

NONE Redberry , a media and entertainment group, also owns the English daily The Malay Mail , Bernama TV and business daily Malaysian Reserve . The company is led by Siew and Mohamad Al-Amin Abdul Majid.

Jamaluddin, who is better known as DJ Jamal to his listeners, said his organisation would uphold the principles of press freedom.

"We are still in the correct path, because we are doing exactly the same of what we had done before now and have the chance to do something greater and bigger in the future.

"Anyone can come to me and suggest anything, but nobody can force me to do anything,” Jamaluddin told a press conference at his studio today.

He said the tie-up would bring new opportunities for Durian FM since Redberry owns other media platforms that could be used for cross-promotion.

One DJ quits

Meanwhile, Chang Fu Ling, a part-time DJ on Durian FM announced that he would quit the station because of the acquisition.

"I don't feel comfortable with any political (interference) in any form of media," said Chang, who hosts a programme on Mondays and Thursdays.

NONE "Even Jamal himself was once a victim of politics when he was fired from 988FM , which is owned by MCA".

Chang ( right ) indicated that he has lost hope in Durian FM , stressing that listeners and staff have the right to know the rationale behind the management’s decisions.

On the sharp drop in staff strength - from 40 to just three - Jamaluddin said most of the staff were volunteers and had other commitments.

"Chang is the only one who quit because of the acquisition," he said.

The tri-lingual Durian FM was founded on March 8, 2011, after Jamaluddin's sacking from 988FM . The station gets around 400 listeners a day, according to Chang.

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