Talk show clampdown: It’s not a political move, says Ngiam
By Patrick Lee, Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA-controlled Star Publications (M) Bhd today denied that the move to ask a popular deejay of one its radio stations to go on leave and to suspend two other top executives was politically motivated.
“This is not a political decision, but a management problem,” she said, adding that the suspension was to “facilitate investigation”.
Howevever, she said the company is still in the dark over what Deejay Jamalauddin Ibrahim said that prompted an investigation by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“We really do not know yet, we’re not too sure. It (the purported offence) was not stated in the letter,” said Ngiam.
Popularly known as Jamal, the DJ hosted the 98.8 FM’s “Say Hi to Malaysia” talk show every Monday to Friday. He was asked to go on indefinite leave two days ago after 988 FM received the MCMC’s letter.
As part of Star Publications’ investigations, 98.8 FM CEO Wong Lai Ngo and senior programme manager Tan Chia Yong were suspended.
Ngiam said an MCMC officer today visited the Star RFM’s headquarters and interviewed some of the DJs and producers.
