RTM should launch Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan on Astro (CH878) and MYTV (CH717) as individual channel, alongside existing Wai FM channel

 

RTM Wai FM was launched on Astro in 2016, then MYTV in 2020, the radio broadcast of Wai FM on Astro and MYTV is hybrid broadcast, consisting Iban, Kenyah, Kayan and Lun Bawang languages.

As I highlighted previously, Talidio Kenyah Miri FM is struggling to expand broadcast airtime on radio frequency platform, Astro and MYTV due to occupation of Radio Kayan from 3pm to 5pm, so Talidio Kenyah is only available on YouTube and Facebook from 3pm to 6pm, it is only available on FM radio, Astro and MYTV from 5pm to 6pm.

Actually Radio Kayan is also available in Kuching and Serian on Wai FM Bidayuh from 12pm to 6pm, while Radio Kayan broadcasts only on Miri FM frequencies, Astro and MYTV from 3pm to 5pm.

In my opinion, alongside the existing Wai FM channel, RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia) can launch Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan on Astro and MYTV with separate channel. So, Talidio Kenyah can expand its broadcast airtime by filling slot from 3pm to 5pm, while Radio Kayan moves out to new Astro/MYTV channel under Wai FM Bidayuh platform.

My aim to express this suggestion is to allow Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah expanding their broadcast hours on Astro and MYTV via separated channels. 

Radio Kayan can expand broadcast hours on MYTV and Astro by moving out from Astro 871 and MYTV 710 to avoid clashing airtime with Radio Tau Limbang FM (Lun Bawang broadcast), while Talidio Kenyah can expand broadcast hours on Astro and MYTV by filling 3pm to 5pm slot, but Radio Kayan should move out by setting new channel with Wai FM Bidayuh on Astro and MYTV.

With such suggestion, I believe this will be fair to Orang Ulu people because they can listen to Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah on Astro and MYTV with full airtime.

Kayan listeners can tune Radio Kayan on Astro and MYTV from 12pm to 6pm if RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan is launched, alongside with existing Wai FM, but this can also give benefit to Bidayuh people outside Kuching and Serian because they can tune Wai FM Bidayuh on Astro and MYTV too, especially those Bidayuh people who are working in Peninsular Malaysia.

==My suggestion of RTM Wai FM on Astro and MYTV==

1. Astro

* Iban, Lun Bawang and Kenyah: Channel 871 (existing)

* Bidayuh and Kayan: Channel 878 (suggestion)

2. MYTV

* Iban, Lun Bawang and Kenyah: Channel 710 (existing)

* Bidayuh and Kayan: Channel 717 (suggestion)

==Broadcast airtime suggestion==

1. Wai FM on Astro Channel 871 and MYTV Channel 710

* 0000-1200 hours: Iban

* 1200-1500 hours: Lun Bawang 

* 1500-1800 hours: Kenyah

* 1800-0000 hours: Iban

2. Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan on Astro Channel 878 and MYTV Channel 717 (suggestion)

* 0600-1200 hours: Bidayuh

* 1200-1800 hours: Kayan

* 1800-0000 hours: Bidayuh

Same broadcast hours as Kuching (FM 106.1MHz) and Serian (FM 101.7MHz).

I have sent this suggestion to RTM, hope it will be materialized.