UNFAZED by roadblocks to his plan to set up a Christian radio station in Sabah, Ronnie Vun Yun Heu, 55, is hopeful that a court hearing next week will finally give him the green light to proceed with what would be the first radio station of its kind here.

“Currently, we have Muslim radio stations that promote the teaching, praying Azan and guidance of spiritual matters to Muslims.

“I believe it is important to educate their good Muslim faith and practice among the Muslims.

“In the same token, Sabah Christians comprise 25% of the electorate, who could benefit from this radio station,” Vun told The Malaysian Insight of his plan.

The Kota Belud native said the court application was based on the Constitution, with Article 11 providing that every person has the right to profess and to practise his or her religion and to propagate it.

“Second, Article 3 provides that Islam is the religion of the country but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony.”

His dreams of setting up the Christian radio station began in 2014, but he has largely faced roadblocks in the past three years.

Over the period, he said he had met with ministers, including two directors from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

“When I met with the MCMC officials, one told me there had been no such application for a frequency before, but told me to give it a try, although they warned me that Malaysia is a Muslim country,” he said.

Vun said Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak had already rejected his plan without even bothering to listen to the proposal.

“I have also tried to get Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Madius Tangau to persuade Salleh of my plans, but it’s been awhile now, and I assume my plans died there.”

Vun’s court hearing has been set on July 28, where he is hopeful to finally get permission to begin work on the station, starting with funding.

“We’re looking at millions of ringgit for transmission towers, to set up an office here in Kota Kinabalu, as well as logistics for the analogue system to be shipped to Sabah, as well as pay for licence for a designated radio frequency.”

He said engineers running the American 105.7 FM KHCB Christian radio station are willing to provide him with an analogue radio system.

Initial funding is expected to come from Christians from the state and around the world.

“I am looking at transmitting in Kota Kinabalu first before expanding it to other parts of East Malaysia, including the rural areas, where the programme format will be multilanguage, similar to that of Sabah’s Kupi-Kupi FM, but with reference to what is written and taught in the Holy Bible,” said Vun.

He added that the station will not have commercials and will unify churches of various denominations. – July 20, 2017.