Suria FM closed down Kota Kinabalu transmission (105.9MHz)

Since July 2019, there are few listeners complaining that Suria FM 105.9MHz cannot be received in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Actually Suria FM had closed down Kota Kinabalu transmission, and the frequency 105.9MHz was returned to MCMC.

Before this, Suria FM began its trial transmission firstly in Klang Valley on 105.3MHz and Kota Kinabalu on 105.9MHz in late 2005. Suria FM broadcasts in Peninsular Malaysia and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, but minus Kuching, Sarawak. Later on, Suria FM launched Suria FM Sabah in 2012 to cater Kota Kinabalu listeners and serve Sabah better with localized content. Suria FM is operated by Star Radio Group under license holder company Rimakmur (M) Sdn Bhd, Suria FM has its Sabah studio in Kota Kinabalu, but this was not really long. During Suria FM Sabah era, there was breakfast show named "Suria Pagi Kinabalu", the content is totally different from Ceria Suria Pagi in other states. Till 2016, Suria FM Sabah was ceased operation, together with Red FM and Capital FM, but FM 105.9MHz reverted back to normal programs as other states. 

2-3 years later after ceasing operation of Suria FM Sabah, now Suria FM closed down its Kota Kinabalu frequency FM 105.9MHz transmission. The possible reason is Suria FM was unable to gain more listeners and advertising revenue. When I landed in Kota Kinabalu 2 days ago, I realized that FM 105.9MHz was nothing, this means that Suria FM exit from Sabah. If I think there is transmission down, it is not possible because transmission downtime is not such long.

In addition, another reason of Suria FM closed down in Kota Kinabalu is KK listeners prefer listening to local radio stations such as Kupi-Kupi FM, KK12FM, Hitz Sabah, MY Sabah, Voice of Kinabalu VOKFM, Sabah FM, Sabah VFM and Era FM Sabah, rather than Peninsular Malaysia based radio stations because they're more catering to Sabah listeners' needs. Besides that, these Sabah local radio stations fit to Sabah listeners' taste better by having localized content. Kupi-Kupi FM is the most successful Sabah radio station because it provides local needs by playing Sabah ethnics music, although it broadcasts in Sabah Malay language (the slang is slightly different from formal Malay language).

After Suria FM ceased transmission in Kota Kinabalu, this leaves Suria FM as Peninsular Malaysia only Malay radio station, same as its Chinese language sister radio station 988FM where never been in Sabah and Sarawak before. Generally, Star Radio Group is no longer operating any radio stations within Sabah and Sarawak and becoming "Peninsular Malaysia only" radio broadcasting company.