Raaga shall become 24 hours full fledged Tamil radio station on FM frequencies in Malaysia

Raaga (formerly known as THR Raaga) is Tamil radio station in Malaysia, operated by Astro Radio. Initially THR Raaga is just Tamil programs of Time Highway Radio before acquired by Astro Radio, but due to higher demand of Indian listeners, Raaga broadcast hours were increased more than 50%. Until today, Raaga broadcasts 24 hours in Tamil languages, but available only mobile apps and Astro DVR, meanwhile Raaga only broadcasts 20 hours in Tamil language on FM radio frequencies (99.3, 99.7, 101.9, 101.5, 102.4, 102.1, 97.9, 103.7), the rest of 4 hours are relaying from Gegar (Malay east coast radio station).

I noticed this issue since July 2013 after I got replied from Astro Radio regarding my suggestion to expand Raaga in Kuantan. Then, I highlighted again that why does Raaga FM frequencies broadcast Gegar programs from 2am till 6am daily. Astro replied to me that because of their broadcasting license content restriction. Previously, they stated that MCMC (Malaysia Communication Multimedia Commission) instructed THR FM license shall broadcast 60% Malay programs, otherwise license would be revoked.

During a phone call with Astro Radio PIC, I suggested to make THR Raaga as 24 hours Tamil radio station on FM frequencies by halting THR Gegar programs in west coast, Astro Radio said that my suggestion would not comply with MCMC broadcast license conditions, even MCMC can revoke the license of THR FM.

Now, it is May 2018, we have changed our government by voting during 14th general election. Pakatan Harapan becomes Malaysia government, Barisan Nasional and PAS became opposition parties in Malaysia, YB Gobind Singh Deo becomes Minister of Communications and Multimedia of Malaysia.

As we already get new Malaysia government, so media will be more freedom, no longer heavily restricted by former administration with racial controls. In my opinion, it is the time to make Raaga as 24 hours Tamil radio station on FM radio frequencies, tally with the same content on Astro DVR and mobile app. Raaga shall stop relaying Gegar programs from 2am till 6am on Raaga FM radio frequency as Gegar is for east coast only. It is ok if Astro Radio does not plan to expand Raaga to Kuantan due to commercial driven concerns of Tamil radio market in east coast.

My intention to highlight this is to dedicate to Indian community. What I see is I felt there was discrimination on Indian community for a commercial Tamil radio station in the past, especially I don's satisfy with Raaga only 20 hours programs on FM frequencies, plus Astro has Era, Sinar, Gegar, even newly Zayan in Malay language. In addition, since Astro carries CASP (Content Applications Service Provider) broadcast license, why didn't Astro make Raaga as 24 hours Tamil radio station?

Besides Minnal FM is Tamil radio station under RTM, Raaga is another choice for Indian community. Under new government, I think Minnal FM programmings shall be overhauled to serve Indian listeners better to make RTM relevant. I realized that RTM was irrelevant under former Prime Minister Najib Razak, it lost many listeners and viewers. So, Malaysia media was dominated by commercial companies such as Astro, Media Prima and Star Radio Group due to RTM became irrelevant public media. It is better if all RTM programmings are needed to be overhauled completely in order to serve public better.

Update: Kuantan can receive Raaga on FM frequencies via 99.3MHz from Ulu Kali or 99.7MHz Gunung Ledang partially. Seriously, FM 99.3MHz and FM 99.7MHz are the biggest contribution to Raaga listeners in Pahang.

Pekan can receive Raaga on 99.7MHz.