Best FM (Malaysia) explained
Best FM is both Malaysia's first private radio station (not the first commercial station, Time Highway Radio is the first), and the first to be based outside of Kuala Lumpur, in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Its studios are located in the royal town of Pasir Pelangi.
History
Best FM began transmission as Best 104 in 1989, primarily as a music-oriented station and acts as an alternative to its competitors Batam's Zoo FM and Singapore's Perfect 10. The owner of the station at launch was Syarikat Mados, a local company specialising in timber and aviation business closely connected to the royal family of Johor. The launch was set for September.[1]
It used to broadcast in both English and Malay, but fierce competition with other private stations broadcasting in English forced it to focus on the Malay speaking audience.
Azmil Mustapha, an actor, became the station manager in April 1991.[2] The station had a staff of 17 people in 1992.
Also known as Suara Johor, it was regarded as "the best FM broadcast in the country".[3]
Best FM was suffering from losses in 1993 as it was unable to sustain the operating costs. [4]
Best FM began broadcasting 24 hours a day on 1 January 1996.[5]
On 9 March 1996, Best FM became a commercial station, with the launch officiated by the then-Crown Prince Ibrahim.[6]
Its commercialisation began when it extended its broadcast area to outside its native Johor state and the commencement of round-the-clock broadcast in 1996. Best 104 was at one time one of the more popular bilingual stations with listeners in Singapore and the national capital Kuala Lumpur; stiff competition for the English speaking audience caused the station to stop its English broadcast in 2001.
DJ Burhan Mohtaruddin, also known as BBD, held the world record of the longest on-air announcer after conducting the radio station non-stop for 104 hours,[7] from midnight of 2 October 2000 until 8.00 a.m., 6 October 2000.[8]
Julie Diana Omar Shariff, a deejay with Best FM, was almost kidnapped and killed by eleven men in October 2012.[9]
In February 2014, Best 104 has changed its name to Best FM.
Frequency
| Frequencies | Broadcast area | Transmitter site |
|---|
| 104.1 MHz | Klang Valley, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Kapar, Shah Alam, Kota Kemuning, Kuala Selangor, Tanjung Karang, Sungai Besar, Bukit Rotan, Sabak Bernam, Kuala Langat, Bestari Jaya, Ijok, Banting, Rawang, Sungai Buloh, Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama, Damansara, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Puchong, Seri Kembangan, Kajang, Bangi, Sepang, Tanjung Sepat, Sungai Pelek, Balakong, Hulu Langat, Ampang, Gombak, Batang Kali, Bukit Tagar, Lembah Beringin, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Kerling, Genting Highlands, Bukit Fraser Raub, Bentong, Lanchang, Mentakab, Bera, Pahang, & Tanjung Malim, Slim River, Behrang Stesen, Bagan Datuk, Bidor, Sungkai, Trolak, Lambor Kanan, Tapah, Temoh, Kampar, Teluk Intan, Sitiawan, Langkap, Ayer Tawar, Seri Manjung, Lumut, Perak Nilai, Pajam, Mantin, Seremban, Simpang Pertang, Simpang Durian, Titi, Jelebu, Senawang, Pekan Chuah, Lukut, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, | Gunung Ulu Kali |
| 104.1 MHz | Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Gelang Patah, Kangkar Pulai, Tanjung Kupang, Skudai, Tebrau, Plentong, Pasir Gudang, Sungai Tiram, Masai, Ulu Tiram, Senai, Indahpura, Kulai, Sedenak, Layang Layang, Bukit Batu, Bandar Tenggara, Pontian, Pekan Nanas, Tampok, Ayer Baloi, Parit Kawasani, Rambah, Teluk Kerang, Penerok, Kukup, Benut, Serkat, Kluang, Simpang Renggam, Paloh, Machap, Ayer Hitam, Parit Raja, and Desaru, Kota Tinggi, Lok Heng, Kampong Tengar, Pengerang, Kangkar Kambau, Mawai, Ayer Tawar, Tanjung Surat, Sedili Kecil, Sedili Besar, Singapore | Mount Pulai |
| 94.8 MHz | Malacca Alor Gajah, Batang Melaka, Lubok Cina, Ayer Keroh, Durian Tunggal, Kuala Sungai Baru, Bukit Beruang, Ayer Molek, Bukit Katil, Selandar, Batang Melaka, Jasin, Bemban, Sungai Udang, Merlimau, Umbai, Nyalas, Masjid Tanah, Sungai Rambai, Tampin, Rembau, Port Dickson, and Segamat, Buloh Kasap, Batu Anam, Chaah, Bekok, Jementah, Labis, Gemas, Muar, Bakri, Seri Menanti, Panchor, Jorak, Pagoh, Lenga, Bukit Kepong, Batu Pahat, Semerah, Parit Yaani, Yong Peng, Tongkang Pechah, Sri Gading, Parit Sulong, Senggarang, Tangkak, Bukit Gambir, Sungai Mati, Gersik, Sagil, North Johor | Mount Ledang |
| 102.5 MHz | East Johor Mersing, Kahang, Jemaluang, Triang, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Babi, Penyabong, Pulau Aur, Pulau Pemanggil, Padang Endau, Endau, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Tioman, Pekan, Chini, Sri Jaya, Maran, Chenor, Temerloh, Kuala Rompin, Keratong, Muadzam Shah, Pahang | Bukit Tinggi | |
References
- News: Sept start for KL's private radio station . 14 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 18 April 1989.
- News: Off the stage and on the air . 12 January 2024 . The New Paper . 13 February 1992.
- News: Major radio channels to go FM by end of year . 14 December 2023 . The Straits Times . 29 July 1992.
- News: Lesen 'Suara Johor' tak boleh dipindah milik . 12 January 2024 . Berita Harian (Singapore) . 16 June 1993.
- News: 24-HOUR RADIO . 12 January 2024 . The Straits Times . 29 December 1995.
- News: Royal station goes commercial . 12 January 2024 . The Straits Times . 11 March 1996.
- News: DJ goes on a long spin to break record . 12 January 2024 . The Straits Times . 7 October 2000.
- Book: Communications, Maxis . Maxis Communications Berhad
. Maxis Communications Berhad . Danny Ooi . Malaysian Book of Records, Millennium Edition . MBR Publications . 2000 . Cheras, Kuala Lumpur . 4 December 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235457/http://www.malaysiarecords.com.my/buy_abook.htm . 26 September 2007 . dead .
- News: Deejay hampir dibunuh dan dibakar . 12 January 2024 . Berita Harian (Singapore) . 2 October 2012.
External links
1.4871°N 103.7815°W
