IKIMfm
IKIMfm is a Malaysian radio station owned and operated by the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia. Launched in 2001, it is the first Islamic radio station in Malaysia that operates for 24 hours.
History
IKIM was previously responsible for the joint operation of RTM's Suara Islam. In 1998, IKIM proposed its intent to operate its own radio station in 1998, which received approval from the Ministry of Information and focused on Islamic content to be broadcast nationwide.The launch of IKIMfm was announced in June 2001, with its trial broadcast beginning on 12 June. Malaysian telecommunications company, Celcom was commissioned to operate IKIMfm's operation and broadcast.
It was officially launched by the then Prime Minister, YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on 6 July 2001.
Radio IKIM is transmitted using the frequency of 91.5 MHz and transmitted nationwide. Radio IKIM can also be heard in Singapore, the Batam islands in Indonesia, Brunei and southern Thailand. The frequency of this radio station was formerly used by RFM, before switching to 104.9 MHz in early 2000. Radio IKIM can also be followed online through its website.
In 2002, the frequency of Radio IKIM in Johor Bahru transmitted from Gunung Pulai was changed from 107.9 MHz to 106.2 MHz.
In the 2010s, Radio IKIM expanded its broadcasts to Miri on FM 104.0 MHz, Lahad Datu on FM 107.3 MHz and Tawau on FM 100.7 MHz to target Muslim listeners in the states of Sarawak and Sabah. In addition, Radio IKIM added a transmitter in Balik Pulau, Penang at 102.7 MHz to cover the southwestern area of Penang where the Gunung Jerai FM 89.0 MHz transmitter cannot be received in that area.
In 2016, the frequency of Radio IKIM in Kuching was changed to FM 93.7 MHz. The original frequency was FM 93.6 MHz.
About 95% of the content on IKIMfm was presented in Malay, although they also produced content in English and Arabic. Official estimates by The Nielsen Company as reported in their latest Wave 2 study show that around 786,000 listeners in Peninsular Malaysia follow this Islamic radio station.
In June 2016, Radio IKIM upgraded the transmission frequency of Kedah and Perlis FM 89.0 MHz by moving the transmitter to Upper Gunung Jerai, to cover Kedah, Perlis, Penang and north Perak which allows Penang and north Perak to receive Radio IKIM broadcasts at 89.0 MHz clearly. Previously, FM 89.0 MHz could not be received in Penang and North Perak, but FM 89.0 MHz was interrupted by a radio station from Thailand in Penang.