Effective 9th January 2026, all RTM radio stations are no longer available on Astro.
RTM Wai FM ceased broadcast on Astro CH871.
This is a bad news to Sarawak's rural community, but RTM Wai FM can be tuned alternatively on MYTV CH710 and online based RTM Klik.
It is because there is a decline of radio listenership on Astro DVR platform, many people tune a radio on a mobile phone via online streaming platform (RTM Klik) over TV set-top-box platform.
Wai FM on Astro CH871 carried Iban, Lun Bawang, Kayan and Kenyah programs. Since it is no longer available on Astro, the listeners have to tune alternatively by following platform below:
1. Wai FM Iban
* RTM Klik - Wai FM Iban
* MYTV CH710 (12am to 12pm, 6pm to 12am)
* FM 101.3MHz in Kuching and part of Betong/Sri Aman Division, FM 106.9MHz in Serian (24 hours broadcast)
* Sibu FM, Sri Aman FM, Bintulu FM (12am to 9am, 12pm to 12am)
* Miri FM (12am to 9am, 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 12am)
* Limbang FM (12am to 9am, 6pm to 12am)
2. Radio Tau (Limbang FM's Lun Bawang language program)
* RTM Klik - Limbang FM
* MYTV CH710 (12pm to 3pm)
3. Radio Kayan (Miri FM)
* RTM Klik - Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan (12pm to 6pm)
* MYTV CH710 (3pm to 5pm)
* FM 106.1MHz in Kuching and part of Sri Aman/Betong Division, FM 106.9MHz in Serian (12pm to 6pm)
4. Talidio Kenyah (Miri FM)
* RTM Klik - Miri FM (5pm to 6pm)
* MYTV CH710 (5pm to 6pm)
* Facebook LIVE & YouTube (3pm to 6pm)
Regarding MYTV, it has no terrestrial coverage in rural areas of Sarawak, so the people need to install MYTV DTH Ku band satellite dish (Asiasat-9 at 122DEG on 11.55GHz) or C-band parabolic dish (ABS-2 at 75DEG on 3.871GHz or MEASAT-3D at 91.5DEG on 3.880GHz). To avoid rainfade, I strongly recommend to use C band parabolic dish to access Wai FM in rural areas where there have no internet connectivity or MYTV DVB-T2 coverage.
Internet can be accessed in Malaysia rural areas via Starlink, so the listeners can access Wai FM via RTM Klik and various online platform easily.
Wai FM Iban is mostly available on Sri Aman FM, Sibu FM and Bintulu FM for 21 hours, but Wai 9-12 is not available from 9am to 12pm program on local radio stations outside Kuching and Serian because they carry 3 hours Malay language program, then Wai FM Iban is not available from 6pm to 7pm on local radio stations on Ramadan month annually. As Wai FM is no longer available on Astro CH871, then shortwave frequency SW 11665kHz is temporarily unavailable due to transmitter was damaged, so the listeners outside Kuching and Serian can only tune to Wai FM Iban on affected hours via MYTV CH710 or RTM Klik, but Wai FM Iban can be tuned via distant frequency 101.3MHz from Gunung Serapi transmitter in some areas of Sri Aman Division and Betong Division, Sarawak such as Simanggang, Engkilili, Lingga, Pusa, Saratok and Roban, meanwhile it is super weak in Debak, Betong and Spaoh.
Here is the radio reception videos of Wai FM Iban in various locations of Sri Aman and Betong Division, Sarawak where Cock DXer and me recorded in 2025.
1. Simanggang, Sarawak (147km)
2. Betong, Sarawak (151km)
3. Engkilili, Sarawak (172km)
4. Spaoh, Sarawak (145km)
5. Debak, Sarawak (138km)
6. Saratok, Sarawak (129km)
7. Roban, Sarawak (129km)
8. Pusa, Sarawak (120km)
9. Kabong, Sarawak (106km)
Too bad WAI FM were no longer on ASTRO (and NJOI) since ASTRO platform provided the satellite-based broadcast with crystal clear voice, unlike usually heard in conventional FM radio platform. Having an ASTRO decoder set aren't necessarily needed for Swakian listeners that live within the state just to listen to WAI FM since FM radio itself is already good enough and free, unlike ASTRO monthly payment. However, ASTRO was still the best platform for Swakian WAI FM listeners living in Sabah or in Peninsula. With the arrival of mobile internet accessible on smartphone and MYTV digital coverage nationwide, it enabled WAI FM to be listened on more than just ASTRO platform. To Swakian WAI FM listeners living in Sabah and in peninsula, they can listen to WAI FM for free with MYTV or with affordable mobile internet package on their smartphones, thus ditching the ASTRO platform.
ReplyDeleteNASIONAL FM, RADIO KLASIK, 愛 FM and TRAXX FM are the only national-based stations that broadcasted nationwide on FM platform, from Perlis to Sabah. Which means, Peninsula listeners living in both Borneo States could listen for free on FM radio. However, none of Borneo-based stations could be listened on FM radio platform in peninsula. Plus, Swakian living in Tawau can't listen to Swak stations and Sabahan living in Kuching can't listen to Sabah stations on conventional means. That's why ASTRO fill in the gap. And then followed by internet platform radio and subsequently MYTV platform radio. As a Swakian, if I work in KL, JB , KK, Singapore or Penang, I will always listen to either BIDAYUH FM, WAI FM, RED FM, SARAWAK FM, or CATS FM on my home's TV or smartphone 24/7 to ease my 'hometown sickness'.
ReplyDeletebecause low demographics don't allow to expand coverage in non-targeting areas. In fact, it is expensive to operate a radio station, the transmission fees per frequency and per location already costs RM 400k annually, excluding the other fees
DeleteAs a Bidayuh guy living in Miri, I was a bit disappointed that BIDAYUH FM's broadcast coverage only cover Kuching and Serian Division, unlike other Sarawak-wide radio stations. Though, I'm glad that BIDAYUH FM is accessible online for me to listen.
ReplyDeleteOnline streaming is cheaper than FM frequency platform in terms of operation.
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