Independent station Radio Free Sarawak ( RFS ) that is critical of the Sarawak government has ceased transmission with less than two years to the next state elections.

This comes after allegations that more sophisticated methods are now being used to jam the underground station's broadcast signal in the state, according to whistleblower website Sarawak Report .

"The decision was taken after audiences had been driven to frustration by signal disruption and in particular a new form of electronic interference, believed to be caused by a network of jamming devices, which appear to have been erected in various localities around Sarawak.

"These local jammers are extremely expensive to buy and have a limited local range of a few miles. However they are highly effective," said the report.

RFS , which targets Sarawak's rural interior, made its last broadcast yesterday through short wave transmission but will still maintain its online website.

The report said the said erected structures, suspected of jamming the signals, is estimated to cost millions.

“It is very sad that the Sarawak authorities have spent this money on silencing freedom of speech, instead of improving services in education and health and other such needy matters, which have been raised by the radio station.

"They have shown their true colours by doing so and also their fear of a single, small voice of criticism," said RFS founder Clare Rewcastle Brown, who is also editor of Sarawak Report .

The Sarawak election is not due until early 2016 but there has been speculations of snap polls next year as the new chief minister Adenan Satem who took over in March may want to seek his own mandate.

Not giving up yet

Previously, RFS had also claimed of widespread jamming in the run up to the May 5 general election last year as well as in the state's 10th state election in 2011.

Sarawak is the only state to hold its state and parliamentary elections separately.

On Apr 15, 2011, the eve of state polling day, Rewcastle Brown ( right, in white ) claimed that an established Belgian transmissions broker had been paid an estimate USD108,000 to jam their transmission.

RFS focuses on controversial issues affecting the native Sarawakians such as deforestation, land grabs and the construction of mega dams that have displaced their communities.

Despite going off the air, the radio station insists it will not concede defeat and promised to make a comeback.

"The team of broadcasters at RFS have made clear the station will not close under this pressure, despite suspending broadcasts.

"The team will continue on the project and seek other ways of transmitting their broadcast," said the report.

The report said RFS hopes to return next year after finding a way around the jamming.