Popular Sabah radio station says sorry over social media gaffe

 

The radio station got on the wrong side of Sabahans with this post on its social media page.

KOTA KINABALU: A popular local radio station here has apologised after appearing to insinuate that people who could not stay home during the lockdown were just going out for no reason and causing massive traffic jams.

Kupi-Kupi FM had yesterday invited listeners to give reasons why it was difficult for people to stay at home during this period, on the radio station’s social media page for its morning show “Bangun Bogia Kinabalu”.

The post was accompanied with a poster saying “susah betulkah duduk di rumah … ahhh!! Sanggup betul ko kana jem 4 jam … cuba kasi satu ayat sama orang begini!!”.

This translates into “is it so difficult to stay at home? You are willing to be stuck in a jam for four hours … describe in one sentence people like this”.

This, however, incurred the wrath of netizens who were quick to point out that it was inappropriate for the show to suggest as such, saying they were insensitive towards those who, for instance, had to leave home to make sure they could put food on the table.

When contacted by FMT, Kupi Kupi FM general manager Lester Calvin Miol said the post was actually aimed at those still stubborn leaving home for no reason during the movement control order.

“We do not have any ill intention over the topic as we always strive to give the best radio session to everyone and we apologise to everyone for the miscommunication,” he said.

One netizen, Alexander Leonardo said the segment was only suitable for people who can sit at home ordering food and watching movies online all day long without worrying about their income.

“They never took the time to think about those in the essential services who need to work. Some even wake up at 5am to avoid traffic jams but end up getting stuck in them.

“Who would be so naive to want to be stuck in a jam for hours just to go makan angin (go around doing nothing)?”

Another listener, Tnuz Adam Augustine said the show was being insensitive towards people who actually had to work during these hard and trying times.

Donovan Funk reacted sarcastically over the post, saying ordinary people were “lucky” to have radio stations to entertain them at this time.

“People have to go out to look for income bosku,” he said, adding: “It’s a good thing radio stations can operate and their staff are paid to make jokes to entertain people at home who have nothing to eat but grass because they have no work.”

At the time of publication, the post was still up on the station’s social media page. - FMT