‘Not Ordinary’ radio station to be launched on Malaysia Day
KOTA KINABALU: Local airwaves will soon be home to a new independent radio station, VOKfm.
Joining the throng of existing stations catering to local tastes, VOKfm, short for Voice of Kinabalu fm, aims to introduce a unique element in the world of radio with its line-up of experienced announcers as well as executives and producers.
Chief operating officer and station manager Faqrul Azim said while the emphasis of the station would undoubtedly be on quality content, VOKfm also intends to be a training ground to nurture local talents.
He explained that in addition to providing interesting segments and tasteful music, the station would engage directly with local artists and those interested in a broadcasting career.
“For future planning, we want to move forward not only as a radio station but also as a sort of radio academy.
“We want to give opportunities to young talents with a passion for radio announcing, hosting and emceeing for them to gain exposure in the broadcasting field.
“While we have regular announcers with their respective segments on weekdays, we also want to have segments over the weekend where we feature new deejays so that they can get the experience radio announcing,” he said.
Faqrul insisted this initiative was imperative to ensure the industry would continue to grow, adding that it was important to train new talent as future industry leaders.
He also said local musicians would have a place to develop their talent with VOKfm, through music executive AeGy Pop.
“Aegy himself is a musician, so he knows the workings of the industry and thus is able to guide local artists and educate them so that they come up with good content. This in turn will improve the standard of our local music scene,” Faqrul said.
With its tagline ‘Bukan Biasabiasa’ (Not Ordinary), VOKfm as a local station will take on the task of promoting Sabah to its listeners, with a mixture of music and entertainment elements as its foundation, alongside programmes focused on local cultures and tastes.
Programme manager and seasoned radio announcer Rey Kimara said the station was already hard at work prior to its launch, brainstorming best ways to engage listeners and make them remember segments and programmes, while leaving them with anticipation for upcoming ones.
“We want to make sure there is always a segment that will interest listeners and make them want more.
“As we are a local station, our focus will be on the local community with segments that explore Sabahan cultures.
“That said, we will definitely be a platform for local music but we will also include top 40 hits and evergreen classics, because we want VOKfm to be a station people sing along to,” he said.
For a start, VOKfm will conduct test broadcasts through online streaming via its website, which is anticipated for release by this weekend.
Listeners nationwide can tune in to vokfmsabah.com, where VOKfm announcers will go live before airing on the radio.
A soft launch and press conference will be held by midSeptember, in conjunction with the launch of VOKfm on its website on Malaysia Day.
Follow the station’s developments via its website and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the handle @vokfmsabah, or email info@vokfmsabah.com for further enquiry.