Radio Free Sarawak is independent radio station who operated by founder Clare Rewcastle Brown and former Cats FM presenter Peter John Jaban. This station was launched since November 2010, but I started to listen to this radio station in 2011 for Sarawak information where were not available on mainstream media which were controlled by Barisan Nasional government.
In those past years, Radio Free Sarawak openly criticized Sarawak BN state government for corruption scandals and destruction of Sarawak rainforests. In addition, it also covered the news of Sarawak people, especially rural areas. Radio Free Sarawak also highlighted the discrimination of the state people, Baram Dam issue was the biggest one.
Initial transmission via SW 15325kHz from Romania.
Radio Free Sarawak programs are available of its podcast, download is available on its website. Moreover, people could listen to this radio station via shortwave SW 15420kHz, broadcasts in Malay, Iban and English.
==Transmission details==
Frequency: SW 15420kHz
Transmitter site: Palau Island.
Once upon a time, Radio Free Sarawak SW 15420kHz was jammed by BN government due to the radio station criticized Taib Mahmud (former Sarawak chief minister) and BN governement. From my experience, Radio Free Sarawak changed the shortwave frequency to prevent being jammed.
I still remembered that Radio Free Sarawak launched its sister radio station during 13rd Malaysia general election in April 2013, named as Radio Free Malaysia, broadcasted in Malay via mediumwave MW 1359kHz from Taiwan.
After Taib Mahmud was stepped down, then late Adenan Satem became Sarawak chief minister, although Radio Free Sarawak was still active, but sounded silence after that.
Came to 7th May 2016, Radio Free Sarawak went to final programs during state election voting day.
Then, BN still won the majority during 2016 Sarawak state election. Radio Free Sarawak went off air.
Malaysia 14th general election was held on 9th May 2018, it is the most thrilling election ever, Pakatan Harapan won simple majority seats, now Pakatan Harapan is all new Malaysia government, leaded by Tun Dr Mahathir. Talk about general election aftermath, Sarawak Report founder Clare Rewcastle Brown came to Malaysia, the immigration of Malaysia lifted the ban. She was recently interviewed on business radio station BFM 89.9 Breakfast Grille on last Monday.
After Radio Free Sarawak went hiatus for almost 2 years, I think Radio Free Sarawak can be relaunched as Sarawak independent news and talk radio station in Iban and Sarawakians languages to target Sarawakians community. Besides that, regarding its transmission, I think it is better to continue using shortwave transmission because shortwave can reach more rural areas in Sarawak.
Mediumwave transmission is not effective as its coverage is limited if broadcasts during daytime, but it can travel further during nighttime unless Radio Free Sarawak broadcasts only at night. Same as FM radio, MW needs also more transmitters to cover whole Sarawak, so the transmission costs will be higher.
Therefore, shortwave broadcast will be better. Formerly Radio Free Sarawak studio was broadcasted from London, United Kingdom, then its frequency was transmitted from Palau Island. Since Clare Rewcastle Brown is back to Malaysia, I think she can relaunch Radio Free Sarawak by locating studio in Malaysia, then putting shortwave transmitter in Mersing Johor if aiming to Sarawak state listeners.
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