Maestra Broadcast Not Suspended Of License But Gets RM250,000 Compound - MCMC

PUTRAJAYA, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has not suspended the licence of Maestra Broadcast Sdn Bhd, the operator of radio station Era FM, but has imposed a compound of RM250,000 on the company.

MCMC in a statement announced that the compound, which was issued after receiving the greenlight from the Attorney General's Chambers, was for an offence under section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (after the amendment effective February 11, 2025), namely for uploading extremely obscene content on Era FM's official TikTok account.

According to the statement, MCMC has received an appeal from Maestra Broadcast, regarding the notice of intent to suspend the licence that was issued to the company on March 7.

"After reviewing the arguments in the appeal, the decision has been made not to suspend Maestra Broadcast's license.

"In making the decision, consideration was also given to the follow-up actions carried out by the licensee company, the apology by the parties involved, as well as the impact of the suspension on Melody and Mix FM radio stations operating under the same license," the statement said.

The statement said that MCMC views seriously any action of uploading content online that may cause inter-religious tension or disrupt the harmony of the multi-racial community in Malaysia.

"All platform operators and users are reminded to always be responsible in preserving racial and religious harmony in Malaysia and to comply with the laws of the country," the statement said.

On March 4, three Era FM radio hosts apologised over a controversial video mocking the Hindu kavadi dance, a sacred ceremony performed during Thaipusam to Lord Murugan.

The video, which was uploaded to the station's social media platform, shows one of them imitating the Kavadi dance, while saying 'Vel Vel', followed by laughter from the other friends.

The video clip has drawn criticisms from many for blatantly mocking the traditions of followers of other religions.

-- BERNAMA