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.
Read More
Malaysia
Indonesia
Singapore
Myanmar
Hong Kong
Vietnam
Thailand
Cambodia
The Philippines
Brunei
Laos
Timor-Leste
Search
787 items
-
The sender thanks Davis for previously sent scripts. He also speaks abouts the effects of the invasion of Holland on their plans moving forward. More »Message
-
The Letter discusses the transmission of Malayan language in Malay, and the change of scheduling for the broadcasts. More »Message
-
CFG Max-Muller writes to John Dumeresque and others informing them that he has receieved Radio Malaya News Volume 1, he also suggests that others read the document and sends it along with the telegraph. More »Message
-
Sometimes referred to as Paul Albany. Title can sometimes be referred to as Head of Broadcasting. Far Eastern Broadcast Services or Head of British Far Eastern Broadcasting Services More »Person
-
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle ( də GOHL, də GAWL, French: [ʃaʁl də ɡol] ; 22 November 1890 – 9 November 1970) was a French army officer and statesman who led the Free French Forces against Nazi Germany in World War II and chaired the Provisional Government of the French Republic from 1944 to 1946 in order to restore democracy in France. In 1958 amid the Algerian War he came out of retirement when appointed Prime Minister by President René Coty. He rewrote the Constitution of France and founded the Fifth Republic after approval by referendum. He was elected President of France later that year, a position he held until his resignation in 1969. Born in Lille, he was a decorated officer of the First World War, wounded several times and taken prisoner by the Germans. During the interwar period, he advocated mobile armoured divisions. During the German invasion of May 1940, he led an armoured division which counterattacked the invaders; he was then appointed Undersecretary for War. Refusing to accept his government's armistice with Germany, De Gaulle fled to England and exhorted the French to continue the fight in his Appeal of 18 June. He led the Free French Forces and later headed the French National Liberation Committee and emerged as the undisputed leader of Free France. He became head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic in June 1944, the interim government of France following its liberation. As early as 1944, De Gaulle introduced a dirigiste economic policy, which included substantial state-directed control over a capitalist economy, which was followed by 30 years of unprecedented growth, known as the Trente Glorieuses. He resigned in 1946, but continued to be politically active as founder of the Rally of the French People. He retired in the early 1950s and wrote his War Memoirs, which quickly became a staple of modern French literature. When the Algerian War threatened to bring the unstable Fourth Republic to collapse, the National Assembly brought him back to power during the May 1958 crisis. He founded the Fifth Republic with a strong presidency; he was elected with 78% of the vote to continue in that role. He managed to keep France together while taking steps to end the war, much to the anger of the Pieds-Noirs (ethnic Europeans born in Algeria) and the armed forces. He granted independence to Algeria and acted progressively towards other French colonies. In the context of the Cold War, De Gaulle initiated his "politics of grandeur", asserting that France as a major power should not rely on other countries, such as the United States, for its national security and prosperity. To this end, he pursued a policy of "national independence" which led him to withdraw from NATO's integrated military command and to launch an independent nuclear strike force that made France the world's fourth nuclear power. He restored cordial Franco-German relations with Konrad Adenauer to create a European counterweight between the Anglo-American and Soviet spheres of influence through the signing of the Élysée Treaty on 22 January 1963. De Gaulle opposed any development of a supranational Europe, favouring Europe as a continent of sovereign nations. De Gaulle openly criticised the US intervention in Vietnam and the "exorbitant privilege" of the US dollar. In his later years, his support for the slogan "Vive le Québec libre" and his two vetoes of Britain's entry into the European Economic Community generated considerable controversy in both North America and Europe. Although reelected to the presidency in 1965, he faced widespread protests by students and workers in May 1968, but had the Army's support and won a snap election with an increased majority in the National Assembly. De Gaulle resigned in 1969 after losing a referendum in which he proposed more decentralisation. He died a year later at the age of 79, leaving his presidential memoirs unfinished. Many French political parties and leaders claim a Gaullist legacy; many streets and monuments in France and other parts of the world were dedicated to his memory after his death. (Wikipedia) More »Person
-
Reginald William Winchester Wilmot (21 June 1911 – 10 January 1954) was an Australian war correspondent who reported for the BBC and the ABC during the Second World War. After the war he continued to work as a broadcast reporter, and wrote a well-appreciated book about the liberation of Europe. He was killed in the crash of a BOAC Comet (Yoke Peter) over the Mediterranean Sea. (Wikipedia) More »Person
-
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
-
Edward Clement Davies (19 February 1884 – 23 March 1962) was a Welsh politician and leader of the Liberal Party from 1945 to 1956. (Wikipedia) More »Person
-
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 »Spoken voice |Topic: Military Conflict |Audio
-
Cyril Conner writes to Norman Collins on supplying transcriptions for the entertainment of the Allied Forces. More »Message
-
Cyril Conner writes to WR Baker, informing him that no action was needed on his end in regards to the rebroadcast of their "Britain through Malay eyes" program. She notes she only meant to inform him of the broadcast but in the future, the liaison between Radio Malaya and BBC Far Eastern Services is best done through London. More »Message
-
Cyrill Conner notes that; a) It is substantial matter to have additional engineers and staff to do an all-day broadcast for the British Far Eastern Broadcasting Services. b) There is no chance at the present to do the request because of the aforementioned factors. More »Message
-
Douglas Geoffrey Bridson (21 August 1910 – 19 October 1980), commonly known as D. G. Bridson, was a radio producer and author who became the "cultural boss of the BBC". (Wikipedia) More »Person
-
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
-
In the 1969 Reith Lectures entitled "Wilderness and Plenty," the fourth talk, "Global Changes - actual and possible," raises the issue of potential alterations needed for scientific reasons before rebroadcasting. The broadcast date was November 30, 1969, and no further announcements or details are provided. More »Spoken voice |Topic: Culture |Audio
-
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
-
David Willey (born c. 1933) is a BBC reporter and journalist based in Rome. He has served as Vatican correspondent since 1971, under five Popes. (Wikipedia) More »Person
-
In a talk by former Director of the British Museum (Natural History) Sir Gavin De Beer, the existence of Atlantis is questioned. Known facts about Atlantis are outlined, with a suggested location by Professor Angelos Galanopoulos at the University of Athens. Plato's writings on Atlantis are dissected for evidence, with theories ranging from Scandinavia to West Africa debunked. Galanopoulos supports the theory that the disappearance of Atlantis reflects the destruction of Minoan Crete, with a suggested location at Santorin in the Aegean. Carbon 14 tests on remains found at the site are dated at 1500 BC, and a hypothesis is presented that a mistake in reading Egyptian numerals could place the disappearance of Atlantis at 1400 BC. Evidence from other volcanic eruptions is presented to support the theory, with the collapse of Minoan Crete attributed to the eruption at Santorin. Despite the controversy surrounding the date of the eruption, the story of Atlantis is suggested to not be dismissed as a fairy tale. The talk was broadcast on the Third Programme on August 14, 1966. More »Spoken voice |Topic: Culture |Audio
-
Telegraph noting a potential time and date for Victor Mishcon (the BBC contributor to the project) to record his statements More »Message
