News & Features Sunday January 20, 2008 Air Raves: By ANTHONY THANASAYAN
StarMag, Sunday Star
IKIM.fm welcomed the Muslim new year (Maal Hijrah 1429) with several programmes, beginning with an evening prayer recitation the day before. It came on after a final prayer was said for the past year before the call for azan prayers was made for the Maghrib. The reflective mood continued until the wee hours of Jan 10.
The Islamic broadcaster operated by Ikim (Institute of Islamic Understanding) then opened up the telephone lines for listeners to interact with each other. Many took the opportunity to send out their New Year’s Day – also known as Awal Muharram – wishes to their friends and families.
At 6.30am, Tafsir Al-Quran, a 15-minute programme about Maal Hijrah and how it is celebrated by Muslims, was presented by Haji Zahazan Mohammad.
At 7.30am, Ustaz Zulramli, in his show Durul Hikmah, pointed out some of the challenges in 1429. For those who wished to know about the origins of Maal Hijrah, their questions were answered by DJ Siti Rohani Surani in Nur Pagi after that.
The morning segment also included live crossovers to the Putrajaya International Convention Centre where a national celebration was under way. The occasion was graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, and the country’s top leaders. The commentary was provided by IKIM.fm’s Zamri Zainal Abidin.
Meanwhile, Malaysia was featured by Radio Australia (RA) on Jan 8: “Panic buying prompts cooking oil rationing in Malaysia”.
The Melbourne-based international radio channel reported that the Malaysian government was forcing retailers to ration cooking oil to consumers after a bout of panic buying led to a shortage in shops.
“It is believed that the recent rush on cooking oil followed rumours of a price hike, although the government also says consumers have been hoarding supplies,” RA added in the news item that lasted about four minutes.
It went on to say that the new limits were due to go into force (on Jan 7), but Malaysia’s Bernama national news agency said retailers began limiting purchases at the weekend.
Those interviewed in the RA report were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Socio-Economic Development and Research Institute executive director Khoo Kay Peng, and Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor, president Datuk Dr Jacob George.
It was presented by Girish Sawlani.
Radio Australia can be generally tuned in via short waves daily from 3am until 1am. For best results, please try all the frequencies: 6.080kHz, 49m; 9.475 & 9.500kHz, 31m; 11.660, 11.695 & 11.840kHz, 25m; 15.240 & 15.415kHz, 19m; 17.750 & 17.775kHz, 16m; and 21.725kHz, 13m.
n Despite living in the cyber age, the writer insists that radio still provides a unique window on the world. When he isn’t scanning bandwidths, he helps to raise awareness of positive living with pets through his organisation, Petpositive (Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association).
Note: This article was in the Top 3 position in The Star on the day it was printed.
