The government is not responsible for the temporary suspension of popular local Chinese/Cantonese radio station Wa FM's operation.

Energy, Water and Communication Minister Dr Lim Keng Yaik clarified that the action was solely the decision of the station's owner and has nothing to do with his ministry.

"We've received a lot of enquiries from the media and public over the matter and some of them misunderstood that it was an action taken by the ministry. We must clarify that this is solely the company's business decision," he said in a statement issued through his press secretary Tan Chuan Koon today.

"We hope that all parties will now understand the fact (that it has nothing to do with the ministry) in order to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding," Lim added.

The minister said he is concerned over the temporary suspension of the station and will closely monitor its development.

Yesterday, the station's owner Synchrosound Studio Sdn Bhd announced that it will go off-air temporarily from Oct 15 to make way for a restructuring and rebranding of the station.

"The Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication has been notified of this decision," the company said in a statement.

Agreement

It also stated that the corporate and debt restructuring scheme is expected to be completed by the year end and the station is scheduled to recommence transmission thereafter.

On July 13, the shareholders of Synchrosound Studio as well as local TV station NTV7 had entered into a 'collaboration and assistance agreement' with Media Prima Berhad-which also owns TV3 , 8TV and Channel 9 (expected to relaunch next year) and 43 percent stakes of the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) group.

"Under the agreement, Media Prima will use its expertise to assist Synchrosound Studio in a corporate and debt restructuring scheme," said the statement.

Last month, rumours had been rife that WAfm would be suspended on Aug 31 for having allegedly breached the conditions of its license which initially was meant to produce Malay and Chinese programmes but not solely for Chinese programmes as is the case now.

However, after the public outcry, the company later clarified that WAfm will continue its operation as usual.

Regret from MCA

In a related development, MCA Youth secretary-general Dr Wee Ka Siong expressed regret over WAfm's temporary suspension of operation.

He said it was not necessary to suspend operation just to give way for restructuring and rebranding.

"It's not clear in what form and language the station will operate after the restructuring is completed," he told malaysiakini.

He added that MCA Youth will give its views on the matter to the station's management and the relevant ministry.