[EXCLUSIVE]: BFM 89.9 turns 10 years anniversary of broadcasting in Malaysia. #BFMis10

Time flies! Malaysia's first English business radio station BFM 89.9 will celebrate its 10 years anniversary of broadcasting in Malaysia on 4th September 2018. Hereby I'm Philip Yong would like to wish BFM 89.9 Happy Anniversary.

Now BFM 89.9 turns 10! To me, BFM 89.9 is the best English radio station that I listen, alongside with Traxx FM where is music based radio station. The programmes are nice enough, unlike other radio stations air those slapstick and crappy stuff which are not suitable to my ear.

BFM 89.9 is neutral and independent enough when reporting about current affairs, headlines and politics, neither pro-government nor pro-opposition media. Its programme "BFM Breakfast Grille" is BFM's signature segment, the interview is very verbal, firm and detail.

Bieber Free Music. BFM 89.9 is anti Justin Bieber? YES, it is also against those crappy mainstream music.

Despite BFM 89.9 celebrates 10 years anniversary on September 2018, I did remember that the frequency 89.9 was operated on December 2007 as trial transmission. During test transmission, the station ident was just simply named BFM without "89.9" suffix. On December 2007, I still remembered that BFM was playing two impressive songs during trial transmission, namely:

- Sacrifice by Elton John (my all time favorite song from the year 1989)
- Down Under by Men At Work

During that time, I was only 13, too young to listen to BFM, I just stick to those hot contemporary radio stations such as Hitz, Fly FM, Traxx FM, and Red FM in 2007-09, then slowly switched to Mix, Capital FM 88.9 and Lite since 2010. After that, I listened to BFM 89.9 partially around December 2013 for the music programme, mainly Pick of The Pops. Few years later until year end of 2015, I put BFM 89.9 as no.1 radio preset for my car and home radio, meant that I fully listen to this radio station.

BFM 89.9 is not same as other radio stations in terms of music genre. While other mainstream radio stations are always following the current music trend which are crappy much, but BFM 89.9 does not follow those crappy trend where are worse than slapstick. BFM 89.9 plays independent/classic rock and classic oldies from 1960s till 1980s where are not played on other radio station during non-talk programmes. In addition, BFM 89.9 does feature those niche music programmes on its weekend supplement such as:

- Take Five (playing jazz music from yesterday and today)
- Wavelength (Asian waves)
- The Flow (Hip Hop, RnB, House)
- 33RPM (Indie rock)
- Muddy Confluence Music Companion (final episode was on 25th August 2018)
- Pick of The Pops (Classic Hits from 1950s till 1980s) 

Former music programs such as: Twang, Very Noise. BFM 89.9 is "act cute-free" radio station in terms of music as other mainstream radio stations (espcially Chinese languages contemporary hot radio station) who usually play "act cute" songs. BFM 89.9 does have Malay language segment from 11pm till 6am on weekdays, then 11pm till 7am on weekends and public holidays. For Malay segment, BFM 89.9 usually plays Malay songs. Its music genres are Malay classic songs from 1950s till 1980s, then Malay indie music, even Malay segment features Malaysia patriotic songs. BFM 89.9 Malay segment playlist is totally different from those Malay mainstream music radio stations which play "attention seeker" songs. BFM did not play those "attention seeker" artists' songs such as Haqiem Rusli or something Bieber alike where are crappy. "Attention seeker" songs are not welcomed on BFM 89.9. I do say that because these kind of artists just use something negative or crappy stuffs which are not liked by public in order to seek attention from public by promoting him/herself. BFM 89.9 keeps its music playlist independent, and reaches away from the mainstream.

Pick of The Pops (POTP) with Patrick Teoh is my all time favorite BFM 89.9 weekend supplement ever, I listened to this show officially since end 2015. I usually listened to POTP on Monday 9pm for repeat, I missed the first air show on Saturday 2pm as that's my working hours. Since October 2016, POTP was no longer having repeat show on Monday as That Time Of Night programming hours were swapped from 8pm-9pm to 9pm-10pm. For this moment, the movement did not disappoint me because I listened to POTP by downloading podcast after 4pm on Saturdays. When I was at office, I usually checked on BFM 89.9 website www.bfm.my for latest POTP podcasts after 4pm, then I downloaded it to my office PC, then transfer to my smartphone. When my working hours ended, I began to play Pick of The Pops podcast on my mobile phone from office to the car, then to the home. For my listening hours, I do make it flexible. Since I missed the show on Saturday 2pm, but I do listen from Saturday 6pm till 8pm, it is more flexible to me, unless there is certain special activity on Saturday after 6pm, I will only delay listening on Monday 7.30pm. Sometimes the show can blow away the mood of Monday Blues if listen on Monday. Also, I do usually listen to "Cruise Control" (hosted by the presenter Richard Bradbury and Daniel Fernandez aka DSF) via podcast as it is related to automotive matters.

A visit to BFM 89.9 at Bu8 on May 2017

Testing! Testing! Oops, actually I'm not on air.

Seriously I was used to visit BFM 89.9 office at Bu8 before in 2016, 2017 and 2018 for having private discussion with one of "BFMer", I do like the environment of the radio station, it is magical place actually. They're very friendly actually. Moreover, I was used to meet with the founder of BFM 89.9 actually, Malek Ali for certain discussion, he is friendly enough. When I had some mistakes of presenting my thoughts over broadcast transmission procedure, he did correct me. BFM 89.9 is also the place that I learnt something personally.

Me with David Chew (BFM 89.9 Producer) & Malek Ali (Founder of BFM 89.9) for having dinner on 23th May 2018

Although radio broadcasting is not my job, but it is one of my interesting hobby, somewhat I do learn about broadcast personally.

BFM 89.9 is mainly Klang Valley radio station in Malaysia, but this radio station is accessible in outside of Klang Valley via same frequency such as:

1. Pahang
- Kuala Lipis, Raub, Temerloh, Padang Tengku, Lanchang, Mentakab, Bera, Triang, Karak, Dong, Benta, Lurah Bilut, Sungai Ruan, Sungai Koyan, Sega, Fraser Hill, Bentong, Maran, Kemayan, Keratong, Bandar Muadzam Shah, Jengka, Chenor, Gambang and Genting Highlands.

2. Negeri Sembilan
- Nilai, Mantin, Lenggeng
- Seremban, Port Dickson, Lukut, Pedas, Teluk Kemang, Rembau, Linggi, Pasir Panjang
- Bahau, Gemas, Rompin, Serting, Simpang Pertang, Simpang Durian, Sungai Lui, Jempol, Air Hitam, Laddang Geddes.

3. Southern Perak
- Tapah, Bidor, Sungkai, Trolak, Slim River, Tanjung Malim, Teluk Intan, Bagan Datoh, Langkap, Hutan Melintang, Chenderiang, Temoh, Selekoh, Sg Sumun, Kampung Gajah.
-  Bota, Seri Iskandar, Lambor Kanan, Lumut, Manjung, Sitiawan, Ayer Tawar.
- Teronoh, Tanjung Tualang, Mambang Di Awan, Ayer Kuning and some part of Kampar

4. Melaka
- Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, Malacca Town, Kem Terendak, Kuala Sungai Baru, Lubuk China, Sungai Udang.

6. Johor
- Segamat, Batu Anam, Labis

When I travel outside of Klang Valley such as Southern Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Pahang, I usually bring my radio set and mobile phone with radio receiver to perform reception test of BFM 89.9. During perform radio reception test, I will record down the audio and publish on YouTube to claim that BFM 89.9 is available outside Klang Valley. In addition, I may help to promote this business radio station outside Klang Valley.

Again. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to BFM 89.9. Wish BFM 89.9 will stay long-life, and happy broadcasting to BFM crews. Here I also hope that BFM 89.9 will expand its coverage to other territories such as Penang, Melaka, Johor, Perak and Negeri Sembilan successfully via FM radio, All The Best to BFM 89.9. I also would like to thank to someone for inviting me to visit BFM 89.9 studio and office with the discussions.

Building Future Malaysia. Bluff-Free Medium. Balanced Frank Medium. Busy Finding Money. Bieber-Free Music. Brake Faster Macha. Building First-World Mindset.