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May 2, 2023, marks the 68th anniversary of Radio Brunei.
May 2, 2023, marks the 68th anniversary of Radio Brunei as the first radio broadcast in AM analogue from 2 x 660 Watts AM Marconi transmitters. Radio’s rapid popularity contributed to our shared national identity by providing syndicated news, sports, and music. For many, radio was the fastest, most reliable way to receive updates about national and world events. Radio remains a relevant form of mass communication and one of the few free services available to anyone with a receiver. One of the commercial firms was authorised to import portable transistor radio receivers, selling to the public in instalments @$5 per month.
2 Mei 2023, menandakan ulang tahun ke-68 Radio Brunei sebagai siaran radio pertama dalam analog AM daripada pemancar 2 x 660Watts AM Marconi. Populariti radio yang pesat menyumbang kepada identiti nasional kita yang dikongsi dengan menyediakan berita, sukan dan muzik bersindiket. Bagi kebanyakan orang, radio ialah cara terpantas dan paling dipercayai untuk menerima kemas kini tentang acara kebangsaan dan dunia. Radio kekal sebagai bentuk komunikasi massa yang relevan dan salah satu daripada beberapa perkhidmatan percuma kepada sesiapa sahaja yang mempunyai penerima. Salah satu firma komersial diberi kuasa untuk mengimport penerima radio transistor mudah alih, menjual kepada orang ramai secara ansuran @$5 sebulan (@Google translation)
To enjoy the photo slideshow, please make coffee, relax and listen to this traditional music. Then, please press the replay white arrow in the red block. Most of the photos are the contributions from ex-Radio Brunei colleagues and their family and friends. However, some of the images therein are from public media. Please let us know if you have any copyright issues, and we will try our best to delete them immediately. Please take note that the photos were randomly selected and randomly placed. The slides will continue until you decide to stop them.
Please relax and enjoy the auto run photos slide show
RADIO BRUNEI BROADCASTING ANTIQUE EQUIPMENT
The objectives of the collectives is to showcase of the antique Radio Equipment used since 1957 as slide shows.
The antique Radio that all the programme producers can operate independently without the technical staff. They can manage all portable recorders, including editing by cut and splice. There was little difficulty once the self-operating continuity studios were implemented. If you should have photos showing you using a portable recorder for an interview, please send them to us so we can expand the interest ofthis blog further.
Radio Brunei started from this small temporary building in 1957. It was situated next to the then Civic Center (present TAIB building), just opposite the present Main Post Office in Brunei Town (now known as Bandar Seri Begawan).
It started with one small building used as a recording studio and an online-air studio. Two Marconi Medium-Wave Transmitters radiating a combined RF power of 1000 watts were used, and the reception area was a five-mile radius.
Author Chong See Kui – 32 years as a Broadcasting Engineer
Mr Chong’s experience includes converting from the initial engineering set-up of the Public Radio Station, establishing operational SOP and even converting analogue MW to digital FM. Trained by VOA and BBC, he retired in 1988 after 32 years in service. At the ripe young age of 86, his passion continues with his contribution to RTB and the National Archives by sharing his experience and the history of Radio evolution for the younger generation. He is now a freelance publisher at http://www.memoriesofthewaywewere.wordpress.com
Deputy Author – Hjh Rosni Yussof
Including the News Section. She retired as the acting Superintendent Engineer in 2021.
Memories of The Way We Were 
Received from Haji Mir via WhatsApp on 31 October 2022 @11:30am. He was working for RTB for more than 35 years commencing in 1957. Wow I m very impressed with the collections of Radio Brunei broadcasting equipment from early 1957 and congratulations to Tom Chong, Hjh Rosni Yussof and Chong Ruey Shulan, who successfully put together these very laborious tasks and become a historical reminder of Radio Brunei existence since 1957. To add to the story I worked with Ampex portable recorders in my early part as a Radio Technician because I was allocated to outside recording in KB, Tutong and Temburong to cover religious talks and other functions. Please keep up the good work.
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Thank you very much for your comment bring us back to memory lane of the yesterday years when we were just 20+ years old.
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I love the snapshots especially seeing all the familiar faces of my late father’s collegues, and of course, catching him in two of them, with a broad smile on his face! ❤️
I recalled my childhood memories, of watching my late father on RTB, reading the evening news and sometimes, listening to him on the radio. Once in a while, he would bring me to tag along to his work place and those, are precious and special moments for me to remember.
Thank you for sharing this short memoir. The journey for RTB has indeed been more than 60 years, all the technologies and building have been long gone but I hope, the people will never be forgotten.
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memoriesofthewaywewere
May 28, 2023 at 3:53 pm Edit
Thank you very much, Hajjah Siti Kurshiah Haji Anuar, for sharing your fond memories of your late father, Hj Anuar, We always worked together in the radio studios, Dewan Raya as well worked as a team for outside live broadcasting and recording.
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Happy Birthday
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Thank you very much, Hajjah Siti Kurshiah Haji Anuar, for sharing your fond memories of your late father, Hj Anuar, We always worked together in the radio studios, Dewan Raya as well worked as a team for outside live broadcasting and recording.
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Warm greetings, I am the niece of the late Haji Junaidi whom I believe is on slide 25 thank you very much for sharing his rarely seen photo, I missed him very much.
I was told that he’s involved in Bukit Bendera radio station during the 1962 revolt, and I find that radio technicians are truly the unsung hero of that historical event in Brunei. I wish I can find more information about their teamwork that time, sadly Haji Junaidi passed away before I could asked him more about it.
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It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Hamizah Way. Your late Uncle Hj Junaidi Hj Othman and I have been colleagues since the early days of Radio Brunei in the 1960s. He was not only an amiable and kind person. Later, in 1980, he became my right-hand man, and we became good friends. 1988, he hoisted my retirement party in his home with his colleagues. I have fond memories of him; I am sure you do, too. I am a freelance ebook writer and have published a few articles on the Development of Radio Brunei since 1957; here is the URL to my eBook blog. https//memoriesofthewaywewere.blog
I have a few photos of your late Uncle that I forwarded you the soft copy. Please be sure to convey my best regards to his family.
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Dear Hamizah Way.Here is a shortcut to my English Publications:-https://memoriesofthewaywewere.blog/category/articles-in-english/
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Thank you very much for this little information in the reply, now I learnt that he’s such an amazing person… gone too soon but his kindness and story stays in this life.
actually, I am currently working on a research project involving my uncle and the radio station during that era, would love it if I could contact/e-mail you one day to further discuss about it
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Dear Hamizah Way, I will gladly assist you with your research project. This is my email: alphabrunei@gmail.com.
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13 Feb 2024 Received WhatsApp comment from Pg Matusin Pg Matasan as follows:-
Mr Chong, thank U for sharing such precious history
• I recalled that Radio Brunei was an invaluable medium during The 1962 Rebellion; also, sadly, Dk Intan’s husband died after being accidentally shot while on duty
• we had a Band & did some recordings @ both Bandar & KB Studios
• Radio Brunei also organised popular Bintang Kecil and the English Talent Time hosted by Andrew Pang
• when we studied in the UK, our Hari Raya messages recorded in BBC Studio in London were broadcast over Radio Brunei
• such immense contribution to The Nation
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Received the following comments from Pehin Mahdini via WhatsApp on 13 February 2024:-
” Congratulations to you, Brother Chong, as one of the pioneers for the formation of Radio Brunei; you still actively continue with our joint social activities 🙏🙏🙏👍👍”
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