The Public Broadcasting Institution of Radio Republik Indonesia (LPP RRI) in Malang has been entrusted by the central government to distribute 110 Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) radio units to various related institutions.
The program for handing over 360 DAB+ Radio units and 181 Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) units is one of the programs of the Directorate of Technology and New Media (TMB) of the Central LPP RRI.
Of the various RRI stations spread across various provinces in Indonesia, RRI Malang is one of a total of five stations that has been appreciated by the central government for its efforts to digitize radio broadcasts.
The rest are from RRI Semarang, RRI Yogyakarta, RRI Gunung Sitoli, and RRI Bengkulu. Meanwhile, 110 DAB+ radio stations were distributed to recipients via RRI Malang in waves over several weeks. These included the executive bodies of the regional government, work units of the district/city government and the legislative bodies of the DPRD, local public broadcasting partner agencies, related private radio media, and the loyal listeners of RRI.
The recipients included five sub-districts in Malang City, including villages: Lowokwaru, Blimbing, Klojen, Sukun, and Kedungkandang.
On the occasion of the handover of the DAB+ Radio to Blimbing District by RRI Malang Public Relations Anandia Novirika, it was received directly by the Head of Blimbing District I. K. Widi Eika Wirawan SSos MM.
“We express our gratitude. We hope that this step in digitizing radio broadcasts in the Blimbing area will benefit our community,” said Widi.
In four sub-districts and several villages, the delivery of DAB+ radio has received a positive response. Essentially, the digitalization of radio broadcasts supports integrated administrative services.
At a previous event at the RRI Central LPP TMB Directorate, Muhammad Sujai, Director of TMB RRI, highlighted several advantages of digital radio, including the ability to host up to 16 radio programs on one frequency and clearer sound output.
In the current context, DAB+ and DRM radio can be used for disaster broadcasts, specifically in the form of an early warning system (EWS). The EWS can be activated as an early disaster warning. When activated, running programs will temporarily pause. Furthermore, information broadcasts, especially weather forecasts, will become more widespread.
Geographically, the Greater Malang area is mostly located in valleys or highlands surrounded by the Bromo Tengger Semeru Mountains, Mount Arjuno-Welirang, and the Kawi Mountains, which have the potential for various types of disasters. Similarly, areas along the southern coast of East Java are vulnerable to disasters. From the beaches of Banyuwangi in the east to Pacitan in the west, East Java faces directly onto the Indian Ocean.