Malaysia
- 1786 - 1795 British claim Penang and Malacca falls to Britain
- 1909 Unfederated Malay States in the Malay Peninsula organized, joining the Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements as components of Malaya
- 1926 Malayan Wireless Committee submits recommendations for permanent government radio service.
- 1930 Reports of reception of shortwave frequencies from the BBC in London but peak listening hours in South East Asia did not synch .
- 1932 Empire Service transmissions to South and South East Asia began
- 1935 Authorization of the British Malaya Broadcasting Corporation (BMBC) granted.
- 1937 BMBC's first transmission
- 1940 Government-owned Malayan Broadcasting Corporation takes over assets of BMBC.
- 1953 The BBC establishes a relay station in Tebrau.
- 31 August 1957 Official Declaration of Independence from the British
In January 1930, an editiorial from the Straits Times expressed views of what might have been widely held among British expatriates of the day. At that point, the BBC was broadcasting on short wave for distant listeners from 1927 on an experimental basis from Chelmsford, but the poor reception of BBC broadcasts through relays was frustrating for those eager to use the medium.
The B.B.C. is an institution of which we may well be proud. It gives by far the best wireless service to the world. Our only quarrel with it at the present time is that it has done little or nothing for those of us who live in Malaya. (A Threat to the BBC,1930).
Complaints persisted through various articles and letters to the editor in newspapers published in British Malaya from 1930 onwards. In an article titled "Radio in Malaya" in the Malaya Tribune, the writer invites readers to listen to the King's Speech, noting that the BBC will broadcast it. However, the writer adds, "it will probably be very difficult to hear it in Malaya, for Chelmsford has been little more than a faint whistle for many days" (Malaya Tribune, 17 January 1930, Page 8). The article suggests there is a possibility that one or more Dutch stations might relay the program, in which case "Malayan listeners might hear the King quite well."
The article also sarcastically critiques a review of the shortwave station in Chelmsford, where a Mr. Chattan assures his English readers that reception from the station compares favorably with other stations and that "reports from the Far East are equally favourable." The writer counters with, "where do these people get their information from? Batches of letters have gone to the BBC complaining about the disgracefully poor service of 5SW" (Malaya Tribune, 17 January 1930, Page 8).
When the BBC finally launched its Empire Service in 1932 using dedicated short-wave technology transmitting from Daventry, the response was enthusiastic. It was considered a turning point for radio in British Malaya. By mid-June 1933, Malayan listeners could tune into Empire programmes for seven and-a-half hours each day.
The programming included news bulletins, music (both live and from gramophone recordings), religious services, talks, and sports reports and the ubiquitous tolling of the BIg Ben. Additionally, a reliable radio schedule titled “Empire Radio To Night” was published in the daily press, marking a significant improvement over the earlier days when the Malaya Tribune relied on its readers to submit reception reports and schedules of “likely transmissions.”
A letter from a listener on a Malayan estate recalls their experience of the first Christmas broadcast, describing how "as we sat down to dinner that night, Big Ben boomed through the house – and to an exile, that experience alone is far from being unmoving" (World Radio, 1933 c).
Other listeners in Malaya, describing themselves as "five quite typical English people, rather less, than more, emotional than most." wrote in to express the significance of the King's inaugural speech:
"Nothing we could say would adequately express what it meant to us .. to hear the King speak, as if he were actually standing beside us here in our tropic garden.. We have little to hold on to these days .. and we lose the sense of belonging anywhere .. in the space of a few minutes all that is altered - faith in the King and a sense of belonging to him, loyalty and pride of race, as well as a feeling of unity, restored what we were losing." (World Radio 1933c E4/6)
The relay of radio signals from Daventry to parts of what is now Malaysia, continued through the 30's to the early 40's.
World War II
The outbreak of World War II in Europe and the impending threat of Japanese aggression in Asia introduced new challenges. The British Ministry of Information established the Far Eastern Bureau in Singapore to combat enemy propaganda in Asia. The proximity of Singapore
In 1947, the Straits Times announced Britain's plans to increase the "range, volume and variety of radio broadcasts to the people of South East Asia" by building in Malaya 5 or 6 transmitters of equivalent power to the BBC's shortwave overseas transmitters in South Johore. The article also says that most of the British broadcast material to be transmitted from Malaya will be pre-recorded or relayed from London. The total cost to Britain to broadcast from Malaya would be from 15 to 20 Million dollars.(The Straits Times, 9 September 1947, Page 7)
A BBC relay station, was built in Tebrau and was constructed on a huge rolling estate of several hundred acres in the year 1953. The original transmitters were six in number; four new units at 7.5 kW and two 100 kW units transferred from the old BFBS base at Jurong on Singapore island.
In the early 50's, broadcasting activities in Malaya were operated from its temporary studio in Jalan Young (now know as Jalan Cenderasari) in Kuala Lumpur and later in 1956, were moved to the Federal House, Kuala Lumpur. It was here that broadcasting in Malaysia grew with the establishment of several stations throughout the country including Sabah and Sarawak. Commercial advertisements were first aired on radio in 1960. This became a new source of revenue for the Government. An interesting point to note is that 'deejays' began to use the introduction "INILAH RADIO MALAYSIA" (This is Radio Malaysia) to greet listeners.
Broadcasting further carved another milestone when Television services were introduced on 28 December 1963 from its studio, Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang. Broadcast operations then moved office to Angkasapuri Complex which began its telecast on 6th October 1969, Radio and Television were merged under the Ministry of Information. The growth of the first channel, Rangkaian Satu encouraged the second channel to be established on 17th November 1969.
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Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin Dato' Hussein (Jawi: عبد الرزاق بن حسين; 11 March 1922 – 14 January 1976) was a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the second prime minister of Malaysia from 1970 until his death in 1976. He also served as the first deputy prime minister of Malaysia from 1957 to 1970. He is referred to as the Father of Development (Bapa Pembangunan). Abdul Razak was the figure responsible for setting up Barisan Nasional (BN), which is the ruling coalition of political parties that held power in Malaysia. Abdul Razak is also renowned for launching the Malaysian New Economic Policy (MNEP). His eldest son, Najib Razak, became the sixth prime minister in 2009; Najib is the first prime minister of Malaysia to be a descendant of a former prime minister. (Wikipedia) More »Person
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Speech by Louis Mountbatten to British forces in Southeast Asia during WWII. He acknowledges the challenges ahead but assures them of increasing support from home. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Military Conflict |Audio
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In a recent discovery, a collection of religious ritual songs and dances performed in a Temiar long-house has shed light on the shamanic, animistic faith of the community. This traditional music, reportedly given by a tiger spirit to a chief in Ulu Nenggiri in Kelantan, carries a significant message that led his group to establish a new settlement at Ajin, near the border of Cameron Highlands. This remarkable find provides insight into the spiritual beliefs and cultural practices of the Temiar people. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In the Ulu Nenggiri region of Kelantan, a member of the AlusTemiar community had a dream in which the spirit of the tiger gave him a song while he and his group were clearing a new area for cultivation. The song was a token of peace, as the tiger spirit was amazed and somewhat frightened by the power of the group to fell large trees. The ritual music, rooted in the shamanic and animistic faith of the Temiar people, is performed in long-houses and reflects a connection to the natural world and its spirits. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Anak Ayam (Zapin) is a traditional instrumental Malaysian folk dance in the zapin style, performed in a popular idiom by violinist Hamzah Dolmat and his group Rakan2. The unestablished instrumentation most likely includes a harmonium, violin, and percussion, with other instruments such as the oud (fretless lute), accordion, and drum also used. The music falls into the categories of popular music, folk songs and music, folk dance music, and world and traditional music, specifically from Asia. The performance was recorded by Radio Malaysia and the BBC Tropical Tapes, with the reel containing 4 minutes and 10 seconds of music. The performers include violinist Hamzah Dolmat and his group Rakan2, as well as an unidentified sound recordist. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Anak Ayam (Zapin): A traditional instrumental Malaysian folk dance in the zapin style, performed by violinist Hamzah Dolmat and his group Rakan2. The performance includes unestablished instrumentation, most likely harmonium, violin, accordion, and percussion. More »Field Recording |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Anak Tiong (Asli): A traditional instrumental Malaysian folk dance in the asli style, performed by violinist Hamzah Dolmat and his group Rakan2. The performance features unestablished instrumentation, most likely harmonium, violin, accordion, and percussion. More »Field Recording |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In 1955, Vivian Fuchs, the leader of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, discussed the qualities he looks for when choosing personnel for expeditions in an interview with Lai Chong Kiat from Sarawak. The interview was broadcast on 'London Calling Asia' More »Radio Programme |Topic: Sport |Audio
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Recording contains information about the Temiar people and their religious ritual songs and dances, which are performed in a long-house as part of their shamanic, animistic faith. The recording specifically mentions a song given to the shaman, Bah Sain, by the spirit of the wind among the bamboos, which tells the Temiar that the wind in the bamboos is the force that moves the airplanes they see flying in the sky. This information sheds light on the spiritual beliefs and cultural practices of the Temiar tribe from Telom in Pahang. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Bercherai Kaseh (Masri): A traditional instrumental Malaysian folk dance in the masri (Egyptian) style, performed by violinist Hamzah Dolmat and his group Rakan2. The performance includes unestablished instrumentation, most likely harmonium, violin, accordion, guitar, drum, and bell-rattles. More »Field Recording |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Drums and gong from Trengganu, north east Malaysia Music (Instrumental) is a collection of traditional musical instruments from the region of Trengganu in Malaysia. The recording includes unidentified drums and gongs commonly used in indigenous music and cultural performances in the area. These instruments are representative of the instrumental music traditions of north east Malaysia. More »Music (Polyphonic) |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In the memoir "Building the Burma-Siam RailwayTalk," a former prisoner recounts the brutal conditions endured while constructing the railway for the Japanese. The prisoners faced harsh working conditions, including being pelted with iron rivets by a Japanese engineer and working in non-stop downpours during the monsoon season. Cholera outbreaks, lack of proper clothing, and extreme exhaustion from long work shifts further compounded their suffering. Despite the high death rates and disease ravaging the crowded camps, the Japanese enforced a speedup of work, neglecting to address the epidemic. The prisoners endured meager rations and slept in leaky, overcrowded huts. More »Spoken voice : narrative |Topic: Military Conflcit |Audio
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Recording features various musical instruments, including a chorus and drum. The chorus and drum cells indicate a combination of vocal and percussive elements in the music. This recording showcases a diverse and dynamic sound with the inclusion of these instruments. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In a first-hand report by David Shute, British Forces in the Northern Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah are facing challenging conditions. The program, produced by Roy Hayward and aired in 1965, features various speakers including military personnel and individuals from the region. The report provides insight into the confrontation in Borneo and the experiences of those involved. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Military Conflict |Audio
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Recording of "Dalam guni" features religious ritual songs and dances performed in a Temiar long-house, reflecting the shamanic and animistic faith of the community. The music conveys a message from the spirit of the hills to a shaman in Ulu Perak, telling the story of a sack of rice that was buried in the ground and resulted in a very rich plantation. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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The musical performance "Dato yuli-alAding" featured a mixed chorus and drum accompaniment, showcasing a blend of vocal and percussive elements. The ensemble brought together diverse musical talents to create a dynamic and engaging experience for the audience. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In a collection of radio broadcasts spanning various languages and historical moments, key figures such as Edward Heath, John F. Kennedy, and Margaret Rutherford are featured in interviews and speeches. The recording also includes significant events such as the recovery of the Mercury-Atlas 6 spacecraft and addresses by world leaders like Charles de Gaulle and U Thant. The diverse range of content provides a valuable insight into political and cultural milestones throughout history. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Culture | Politics |Audio
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Edward Ward reports on the war against communist 'bandits' in Malaya, featuring interviews with individuals affected by the conflict. The narrative provides insights into the challenges faced by residents and industries in the region. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Military Conflict |Audio
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In Malaya, Malays engage in fish fights as a form of entertainment and betting. Participants bring their own specially salted fish in jam jars, and two male fishes are placed together to display their dominance. Betting on the fish fights is a common practice, and the event is described as being almost as exciting as any other type of fight. The details were shared in a broadcast on BBC Home Service in 1961. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Sport |Audio
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Lord Medway, also known as Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, was an assistant at the Sarawak Museum in the British colony of Borneo from 1956-1958. He conducted studies on the swiftlets of southeast Asia and their use of echo-location, which he presented in an illustrated talk on the topic. The talk also featured his own recordings made in the nesting caves of Borneo. This information was detailed in a Radio Times entry from December 29, 1960. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Lord Medway was an assistant at the Sarawak Museum, Sarawak, a British colony on the north-west coast of Borneo, 1956-8. Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 5th Earl of Cranbrook, (born 20 June 1933), styled Lord Medway until 1978, is a British zoologist, biologist, naturalist, and peer. Since 1956, he has been active in the fields of ornithology, mammalogy, and zooarchaeology, and has influenced research and education in Southeast Asia. His career focus was on swiftlets and other small Southeast Asian birds, as well as on mammals, including orangutans.He is the author of Wild Mammals of South-East Asia (1986), Wonders of nature in South-East Asia (1997) and Swiftlets of Borneo: Builders of Edible Nests (2002) and Key Environments: Malaysia (2013), which had a foreword from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. (Wikipedia) More »Person
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Extract from General Sir Gerald Templer's address. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Military Conflict |Audio
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Templer is best known for implementing strategies that heavily contributed to the defeat of the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA) during the Malayan Emergency. (Wikipedia) More »Person
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Recording of Hanjoi Temiar dream music, religious ritual songs and dances are performed in a Temiar long-house, reflecting the shamanic and animistic faith of the culture. The title of the recording is a play on words, representing the disappearing form of a man diving into a pool to catch fish. This variation on the saying "the higher the fewer" conveys the theme of disappearance and transformation within the music and rituals of the Temiar people. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In a remote village in India, a group of Muslim fishermen were captured on video chanting a solo vocal with a chorus. The rhythmic and melodious singing reflected their cultural heritage and community spirit. More »Spoken voice : chanted |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In an interview with Wilfred De'Ath, young people David Fisher and Rowena Hyde discuss their experiences working in underdeveloped countries through voluntary service programs. The program explores the increasing interest among young individuals to contribute to overseas projects during their gap year, and questions the competition between organizations like V.S.O and Kennedy's Peace Corps. David Fisher worked in Sarawak in Borneo at the age of 19, while Rowena Hyde is the daughter of a former Communist turned Catholic. The broadcast was compiled and narrated by Wilfred De'Ath and produced by Robert Pocock. The interview took place on January 9, 1962. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Culture; Politics |Audio
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Selangor, Penghulu, a male singer, performed the Mon-Kmer language folk song "JinjangJinjang" in 1955, recorded by Radio Malaya and archived by the BBC. The song is designated as folk music and dance music with a mixed chorus and drums. This historical recording provides a glimpse into the music and culture of then British Malaya. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Sir John Tusa (born 2 March 1936) is a British arts administrator, and radio and television journalist. He is co-chairman of the European Union Youth Orchestra from 2014. chairman, British Architecture Trust Board, RIBA, from 2014. From 1980 to 1986, he was a main presenter of BBC 2's Newsnight programme. From 1986 to 1993, he was managing director of the BBC World Service. From 1995 to 2007, he was managing director of the City of London's Barbican Arts Centre. (Wikipedia) More »Person
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Johor Sport Club (Joget): An instrumental Malaysian folk dance in the joget style, performed by violinist Hamzah Dolmat and his group Rakan2. The performance features unestablished instrumentation, most likely flute, violin, accordion, and frame drum. More »Field Recording |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Sender proposes a few alterations which can be made to the proposal in order to include more specific information. Such as the specific names and titles of those involved. Also requests clarification on certain aspects of the document. More »Message
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Not entirely clear, but he appears to be a Malaysian BBC presenter from Sarawak More »Person
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Lenggang Mak Imang (Imang): A traditional instrumental Malaysian folk dance in the inang style, performed by violinist Hamzah Dolmat and his group Rakan2. The performance features unestablished instrumentation, most likely harmonium, violin, accordion, drum, and tambourine. More »Field Recording |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Summary of a discussion on the future of socialism featuring Aneurin Bevan, Hugh Gaitskell, and Frank Byers. Topics include British progress, challenges of denationalization, potential industries for nationalization, and insights from Bevan and Gaitskell on socialist policies, parliamentary procedures, and the role of Trade Unions. Gaitskell emphasizes the need for maintaining controls to prevent inflation. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Politics |Audio
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In a historic recording titled "Long Live the Queen (Coronation Programme)," the evening of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation is celebrated with greetings from the people of the Commonwealth and their leaders in London. The program ends with a message from the Queen, introduced by Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Narrators Robert Donat and Edward Ward are featured, and special linking music is performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The recording includes a montage of voices from across the Commonwealth, expressing loyal wishes to the Queen and celebrating the unifying influence of the Coronation celebrations. Notable figures, such as Prime Ministers from Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, also convey warm and personal wishes to the Queen, reflecting the global significance of her reign. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Politics |Audio
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In a series of interviews with prominent Malaysians, recorded by interviewer John Tusa for two programs - "Malaysia: The Development of a State" and "Malaysia: Problems of Confrontation" - and broadcast in the General Overseas Service, the voice of Tusa is not heard in certain segments. The additional archive number is 30010, with a recording date of 0.3.1965. The scripts are listed under DTF, with an OTN number of 29852 and a transmission date of 13-Apr-1965. There are no annotations, and the conversation features speaker ANDAK Taib Bin Haji. The Rewind Asset ID is 60360644748d8fc68c9db329. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Business |Audio
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This auditory exploration encompasses a repertoire of seven traditional Malaysian folk dances. Hamzah Dolmat, a distinguished violinist, collaborates with Rakan2, employing a diverse array of instruments including accordion, oud, guitar, mandolin, drums, tambourine, and bell-rattles. This ensemble offers a nuanced rendition, capturing the rich cultural tapestry of Malaysia. More »Field Recording |Topic: Culture |Audio
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In the Malaysian national music recording, unestablished instrumentation including the harmonium, violin, and percussion is used, with performers such as Negar Ku and Hamzah Dolmat of Rakan 2. The traditional instrumental Malaysian folk dance in the zapin style is performed by Hamzah Dolmat and his group using instruments such as the oud, violin, accordion, and drum. The recordingencompasses popular music, folk songs, folk dance music, and world and traditional music, with a focus on Asian culture. Hamzah Dolmat, a prominent violinist, and his group Rakan2 are featured in these recordings. More »Field Recording |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Collection of Malaysian folk music captured on BBC Radiotape, featuring various traditional tunes like "Ayam Didek" and "Negara Ku." More »Radio Programme |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Mr. George Simpson, a Shipping Agent in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong from 1948-1980, is the focus of the Scottish Decolonisation Project collection at the National Library of Scotland. The collection includes three compact cassette recordings of interviews conducted by Mr. Bill Dorward, covering Simpson's work in Singapore, British North Borneo, Penang, Malaya, and Hong Kong. Additional documentation is available from the library's Manuscripts Division. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Business |Audio
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Malaya Broadcasting Corporation now assumes all responsibility and that the Director General of Posts and Telegraphs will no longer exercise control. More »Message
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Music from Malaya. Aborigines. Lanoh negrito bamboo jaws harp More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Negara Ku unfolds as a musical ode to Malaysian heritage, marked by unestablished instrumentation, presumably harmonium, violin, and percussion. Executed by unidentified performers, this piece provides an auditory lens into the nuanced expressions embedded within Malaysian national music. More »Music |Topic: Culture |Audio
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Sender requests field measurements from a V.H Winston. This is done to an estimate of 'Service areas' More »Message
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Peter Albany informs Terence Cooper that the Malaysian judge previously tapped to participate in the program has dropped out do to work pressure. He goes on to suggest potential replacements and suggests that the broadcast be delayed as well. More »Message
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Discussion about the use of violence for political purposes in Malaya. The speakers argue that good treatment of captured communists is more effective than torture. More »Radio Programme |Topic: Military Conflict |Audio
