BY SHAH AHMED FAROUQ & NUR ASHIKIN LOUIS
KUCHING: Sarawak State Mosque Welfare Trust Board (LAKMNS) launched their new online radio — Internet Radio Islamic Sarawak (Iris) — yesterday.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs and DBKU) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the digital radio complements the state government’s efforts to introduce digital economy in Sarawak.
“The capability of radio to channel information to the community is very important especially in the era of advanced technology,” he said when launching Iris at Baitul Makmur here.
He said it would benefit not only people living in Sarawak but also globally through the use of internet.
“The interesting thing about Iris is that when compared to conventional radio, it is accessible to those who have internet so even those overseas can listen to the broadcast,” he added.
According to LAKMNS chief executive officer Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai, the digital radio was aimed at creating an ‘infotainment’ platform for the listeners.
“With radio, we can serve as a medium to channel information among Islamic agencies with the outside community especially in the state,” he said.
Among the agencies involved are Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC), Sarawak Islamic Affairs Department (Jais), State Mufti Department, Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak, Islamic Information Centre (IIC), Syariah Judicial Department, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), Hikmah and Lembaga Tabung Haji.
Apart from slots occupied by Islamic agencies, Iris also provides various segments for listeners such as health, counselling and motivational.
The Iris radio will begin operation Monday (July 27). It will broadcast for four hours from 11am to 3pm on working days.
Iris can be accessed at lakmns.org.my under the section of ‘Iris radio portal’ in the website.
In another development, Dr Abdul Rahman advised hajj pilgrims this year to abide with the Malaysian and Saudi governments’ directives on the cancellation of performing the pilgrimage.
“This is in view of the Covid-19 pandemic which is still ongoing around the world,” he said.
