Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) can launch "Belaga FM" as the 35th radio station to replace Sibu FM 103.0MHz in Belaga if Belaga becomes 13th division in Sarawak to deliver more local content for Belaga community, especially for Kayan and Kenyah people.

From 2021 to 2023, several Sarawak assemblymen suggested that Belaga should be upgraded from district to division. Currently Belaga is a district under Kapit Division, meanwhile Sungai Asap is sub-district of Belaga district. If Belaga becomes a division, it will be the 13th and latest Sarawak division.

For radio broadcast, currently RTM Sibu FM operates in Belaga on the frequency FM 103.0MHz. If Belaga is the 13th division of Sarawak, RTM can launch its 35th radio station, known as "Belaga FM" to replace Sibu FM 103.0MHz in Belaga.

The radio program switch from Sibu FM to "Belaga FM" on FM 103.0MHz in Belaga, Sarawak will allow RTM Belaga to deliver more local content to the community there, compare to current Sibu FM.

Belaga is the home of Kayan and Kenyah people, meanwhile RTM has Kayan and Kenyah radio broadcasts in Miri Division. If Belaga FM is launched officially, RTM can relay Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah on FM 103.0MHz in Belaga, this can cater more Kayan and Kenyah listeners. 

As RTM's so-called East Malaysia targeted TV channel "TV Okey" does not have news in Kayan and Kenyah language, therefore radio becomes an important medium to the community of Kayan and Kenyah people, but RTM has to consider .

RTM currently operates 34 radio stations nationwide. If Belaga FM is launched in conjunction with the upgrade level of Belaga from district to division in Sarawak, so Belaga FM becomes 35th and the latest RTM radio station.

==Suggestion of broadcast airtime of Belaga FM==

As Belaga is majority of indigenous people, I strongly suggest that Belaga FM to become multi-indigenous languages radio station by relaying several programs from Wai FM Iban Kuching, Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah with following broadcast hours below:

0000-0900 hours: Wai FM Iban from Kuching

0900-1200 hours: Talidio Kenyah (Kenyah language)

1200-1800 hours: Radio Kayan Miri FM (Kayan language)

1800-0000 hours: Wai FM Iban from Kuching

 

The contra of the suggested broadcast airtime of Talidio Kenyah on Belaga FM is the schedule does not match with Miri FM broadcast airtime, unless Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan launches Miri frequency, so Talidio Kenyah can join the airtime of Miri FM with Belaga FM simultaneously.

==Suggestion of Belaga FM 103.0MHz transmission parameter==

Currently, the FM 103.0MHz operates low power at 0.1kW in Belaga, Sarawak. To reach more coverage, including Sungai Asap, I suggest "Belaga FM" to increase its transmission power to 0.5kW.

RTM can launch a gap filler transmitter for "Belaga FM" if Sungai Asap cannot receive the signal clearly on FM 103.0MHz, despite transmission power is increased to 0.5kW.

 

With the launch of "Belaga FM", RTM Sarawak will have 6 division radio stations in Sarawak, meanwhile 8 Sarawak only radio stations in the region.

- Sarawak FM 

- Red FM

- Sibu FM

- Sri Aman FM

- Belaga FM (replacing Sibu FM 103.0MHz in Belaga)

- Miri FM

- Bintulu FM

- Limbang FM

About the launch of "Belaga FM", it is the matter of time of RTM launches this radio station subject to the future of the administrative status of Belaga from district to division by Sarawak government.