KUALA LUMPUR - The operator of Malaysia radio station Era FM, Maestra Broadcast Sdn Bhd, has been fined RM250,000 (S$75,400) after three of its DJs were [recorded mocking the Hindu religion in a viral video](https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-communications-body-to-summon-radio-djs-over-mocking-of-hindu-dance).
However, the company’s licence will not be suspended.
The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said in a statement on March 11 it decided not to suspend Maestra Broadcast’s licence, after reviewing the arguments in an appeal sent by the operator.
“In making the decision, we also considered follow-up actions taken by the company, the apologies issued by those involved, as well as effects on radio stations Melody and Mix FM, which operate under the same licence,” said the communications regulator.
“We view any action that could cause tension between religions or disrupt societal harmony seriously... All operators and platform users must be responsible for preserving racial and religious harmony in Malaysia and abide by national laws.”
Maestra Broadcast was issued a RM250,000 compound under Section 233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 (after amendments) for uploading offensive content on Era FM’s official TikTok account.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the fine took into account that Maestra Broadcast was a company, not an individual, and that it “generates high revenue annually”, reported Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
He said the operator, which is a subsidiary of the Astro media group and the holder of an MCMC licence, was obliged to comply with all laws and guidelines.
“Unfortunately, the company allowed its radio station’s official TikTok account to upload content which provoked much public anger,” Mr Fahmi was quoted as saying by FMT.
He added that no further action will be taken against the three DJs at the centre of the storm - Mr Nabil Ahmad, Mr Azad Jasmin, and Mr Radin Amir Affendi Ahmad Aruani. All three have apologised for their actions.
“This is an incident that we all regret, but I believe we can all learn from it.
“We need to protect our racial and religious diversity. We need to respect each other,” Mr Fahmi reportedly said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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