Malaysian radio station Kupikupi FM 96.3 will celebrate its first anniversary with a free concert near Kota Kinabalu on March 18.

The community-focused station, which went on air in January last year, hopes to reflect the needs and desires of the communities of Sabah in order to amplify and strengthen their voices.

Its tagline is Kita-kita juga baini! (“This is ours!”) and offers its listeners topics ranging from customs and traditions to social-economic development, global and social trends, health and nutrition as well as agriculture with a focus on to skills and talent development as well as job opportunities in the state and the rest of the country.

The station also gives a platform to local entertainers, playing 80 percent of local Sabahan songs.

According to Programme Manager Lester Miol, the concert is one of the ways to thank its loyal listeners and fans from Kuala Penyu to Kota Belud in the west coast of Sabah.

The station has nearly 70,000 followers on Facebook and its first free concert in 2016 was attended by about 5,000 people.

This year’s concert will feature 13 local artists including Mary Intiang, Francis Landong, Evaristus Gungkit, Den Bisa, Jestie Alexius, Velvet, Esther Applunius, Felix Agus, Adex, Sharin Amud, Loytive, Nubornmusic and Bamboowoods.

Indonesian band Repvblik which will be the headline act for the concert.