Sabah Christians want more festive radio, tv show

By Luke Rintod

KOTA KINABALU: Christians in Sabah are frustrated with the lack of Christmas-related programmes on local public radio.

They feel that Christmas celebrations have become more muted on public channels over the years.

In Sabah Christians, who used to form at least half of the state population, find that they are being sidelined and their Christmas wish is to have more radio and television programmes associated with the festival.

Pastor Tommy Sian of the local Baptist Church here when approached by FMT said every Christian is praying for a time when they can enjoy more such programmes aired by the country's radio and television stations.

He believes that Malaysia is well behind neighbouring Indonesia in providing such programmes because, unlike Indonesia, the authorities do not allow for Christian radio or television stations to set up.

"Indonesia, though overwhelmingly a Muslim country, has several Christian radio and television stations and so our brothers and sisters over there can enjoy Christian programmes more," he said adding that these Indonesian channels are available in some parts in Sarawak.

The pastor however noted that local shopping complexes and some of the local governments like Kota Kinabalu City Hall are carrying out several programmes associated with the Christmas season.

"This (kind of) compensates for the lack of television or radio programmes," Sian said.

A priest with the local Catholic Church here who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Christians must understand that Malaysia is not the same level with other countries, especially when it comes to radio and television stations.

A local leader and activist, Daniel John Jambun, meanwhile called on the government to be more open and inclusive, especially in relation to such festivities.

"We appreciate our television channels airing some Christmas-related cartoons and films, but we got to pray harder so that leaders of the country will eventually open up to suggestion and follow other liberated countries like Indonesia," he said.