ENCIK MOHD. IBRAHIM MASRUKIN

ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,

NATSEVEN TV SDN BHD,

No.7, Jalan Jurubina U1/18,

Hicom-Glenmarie Industrial Park,

40150 Shah Alam,                                                                                                     By Hand

Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Tel: (6) 03 5569 1777, Fax: (6) 03 5569 2515.                                                         27^th SEPTEMBER 2005

Disappointed with the decision to stop Wa! FM’s broadcast after 15^th October and would like the management of Syncrosound Studio Sdn. Bhd. to withdraw the decision.

DAPSY is disappointed with the decision made by Syncrosound Studio Sdn. Bhd. to stop Wa! FM’s broadcast after 15^th October and would like the management of Syncrosound Studio Sdn. Bhd. to withdraw the decision based on the reasons below.

1. Such decision is economically unfeasible. DAPSY believes that the decision is inappropriate as restructuring and re-branding exercise can be carried out without having the radio station be put off-air. Wa! FM only employs eight full-time staffs and even if part-timers are included, the total staffing for Wa! FM would not even exceed 20 people. It is not economically feasible for a small set-up like Wa! FM’s to undergo a restructuring and re-branding exercise.

Even if Natseven TV Sdn Bhd would like to continue with such exercise, the focus should be directed at its core business, i.e. its TV broadcasting segment. For any restructuring exercise to be carried out, the best approach is to minimize all potential disturbances to the operation of the stations (both TV and radio).

2. Wa! FM is already a prominent brand by itself. In contrast to the media statement issued by Syncrosound Studio Sdn Bhd, DAPSY believes that Wa! FM has been successful in creating its own brand among the audience. Wa! FM has been successful in crafting its image as a radio station that allows for the airing of critical views since it went on-air two-and-a-half years ago, based on its policy of providing an open platform for listeners to call in and share their views on air.

As such, DAPSY is of the opinion that Wa! FM has been successful in branding itself as a leading station in terms of expression of views and opinions, which has been accepted by the audience. There clearly isn’t any need for a rebranding exercise and Wa! FM should continue its broadcast as it is now.

3. Natseven TV Sdn Bhd should be fair to all parties. If “restructuring and rebranding” exercise is required, there is no reason why NTV 7, the only TV station owned by the company, is excluded from being put off-air temporarily. Natseven TV Sdn Bhd should explain this, failing which Wa! FM should be given the green light to continue its broadcast.

4. Instead of temporarily taking Wa! FM off-air, Syncrosound Studio Sdn Bhd should increase its manpower. To date, there are only eight full-timers in Wa! FM who are responsible for almost the entire operations of the radio station, ranging from programming, hosting, administration and even marketing. Such human resource management is also economically unfeasible.

If Syncrosound Studio claimed that the huge debt accumulated is the reason for such a decision, the logical decision that Syncrosound Studio should do is to increase Wa! FM’s staffing and in particular strengthen its advertisement and marketing departments.

Synchrosound had earlier said that it would have to cease operations as it was suffering from major losses of up to RM 50 million. Such claims had been questioned by when Wa! FM had only eight full-time staffs with monthly expenses of less than RM 50,000. DAPSY would like to demand an explanation on how Synchrosound can lose RM50 million in its 18-month broadcast.

5. Natseven TV Sdn Bhd should respect the right-to-know of the audients. It is undeniable that Wa! FM has created a trend among its audients to comment on current national issues. This has altered the previous operating mode of radio stations which in the past focused mainly on entertainment.

Natseven TV Sdn Bhd should remember that there are valid concerns from the society about the fate of Wa! FM as the temporary off-air is not merely a commercial decision. In order to preserve the growing platform to express views and opinions from members of the public, the decision also concerns about the narrowing democratic space for Malaysians to freely express their views and thoughts.

In view of the above five reasons, DAPSY calls on Natseven TV Sdn Bhd and Media Prima Sdn Bhd to revoke its decision to temporarily make Wa! FM off-air. Wa! FM should be allowed to continue its broadcast in order to enlarge the space for freedom of expression among its audience.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

NGA KOR MING

CHIEF

DAP SOCIALIST YOUTH.