BALANCING the pulse of a medical profession with the electric energy of underground rock music may sound like a wild paradox, but for Ben Jr, it’s the beat that drives his life forward.
Born and raised in Miri, Sarawak, the 38-year-old wears many hats.
An Assistant Medical Officer by day and a composer, lyricist, vocalist, guitarist, and frontman of RadakNyawa – a bold and unapologetic Iban-language alternative rock band making waves in the underground scene – by night.
His dual identity may raise eyebrows, but to Ben, it makes perfect sense.
Ben grew up in a modest household, the youngest of four siblings and one half of a pair of twins.
While his upbringing was ‘good and normal’, music was an ever-present undercurrent that shaped him.
His father, a 70s era guitarist, planted the first musical seed, while his elder brother nurtured it, by teaching him how to play guitar at just nine years of age.
“I was drawn to music because of them.
“Watching them play made me want to follow in their footsteps,” he said.
It wasn’t long before the seeds of musical exploration began to sprout.
During secondary school, he formed a post-grunge band called Antidotes.
“It was just for fun at the start, but it was the first time I felt the rush of performing,” he recalled.
Later, during medical college, he crossed paths with Terence – a musical collaborator who would eventually co-founded RadakNyawa with him.
Their earlier band, The Phelangi & The Extraordinary Rock Lempeng, played alternative rock, giving them space to experiment and connect through sound.
After medical college, fate brought Ben and Terence together once more.
This time, they envisioned something different. Something uniquely rooted in their cultural identity.
“RadakNyawa is a D.I.Y. underground band with an experimental idea to blend avant-garde rock with Iban lyrics which was quite rare at the time,” said Ben.
In an industry where English and Malay dominate the music scene, singing entirely in Iban was a bold artistic choice.
But to Ben, it was a statement of pride and preservation as he wanted to elevate the Iban language through music and make it part of the modern narrative.
The band eventually solidified into a four-piece ensemble, and while their sound defies easy labelling, Ben describes it as raw, energetic, loud, and fast.
While music is his passion, medicine is his profession – a reality he didn’t initially choose, but eventually embraced.
“At the time, I had no other options, so I accepted the opportunity to enter the medical line.
“But after graduating with a degree in Medical and Health Sciences and completing a primary health sub-specialty course, I started taking it seriously,” he said.
Now, he’s pursuing his Master’s in Medical and Health Sciences while working full-time as an Assistant Medical Officer.
“It’s demanding, but manageable. For me, music is a good medicine for stress,” he said.
Despite the pressure, he insists his dual life isn’t a burden.
“My profession and music career are completely unrelated.
“But I love music and it’s how I heal myself while healing others,” he said.
Balancing two demanding roles isn’t easy, but Ben keeps things running with discipline and a structured routine.
“To balance the two, I have to discipline myself to be able to do the two things,” he said.
Weekdays are strictly reserved for his responsibilities as a medical officer, while weekends are devoted to his music.
“There is a schedule – for example, weekdays, I definitely focus on medical work.
“And on weekends, I just do work as a musician,” he said.
Of course, exceptions happen.
“Sometimes if the show is during weekdays, I have to be clever and find the perfect time,” he said.
Through careful planning and strong self-discipline, Ben manages to honour both passions without letting either one fall behind.
The songwriting process for RadakNyawa is deeply personal and spontaneous.
“I usually start with the music, guided by my imagination then the lyrics come.
“It’s often inspired by my daily experiences, though not always directly connected to my personal life,” he explained.
One exception is ‘Intan Atiku’, a heartfelt song written for his wife.
“That one came from a real place – raw emotion,” he said.
Ben produces initial demos using just his smartphone before layering tracks in his home studio.
He draws inspiration from old Iban musicians of the 60s and 70s, particularly Michael Jemat, to whom he paid tribute by covering the classic ‘Ukai Mas, Ukai Intan’ and composing an original track titled ‘Nadai Ganti’.
“Michael Jemat is my favourite. His influence can be felt in many of our songs,” he added.
RadakNyawa doesn’t just make noise – it makes a point.
“Our lyrics focus on positive themes – respect, strong relationships, and cultural pride.
“Even if the music is loud, the message is clear and uplifting,” said Ben.
He believes their sound helps listeners release stress and emotions in a healthy way.
“We want people to feel something, maybe even find healing in the chaos of the music,” he said.
As for the future, RadakNyawa is not slowing down.
Ben hopes to write more memorable lyrics and expand their musical reach while staying rooted in Iban culture.
“We want to dignify the Iban language as a universal language. Make it known, even to those outside the community,” he said.
They’re also aiming to refine their sound without losing their edge.
“We are looking forward to make catchy lyrics and good music for the underground scene,” Ben said, though he remains optimistic about reaching a wider audience in time.
Ben’s ability to sustain two intense careers comes not just from discipline, but also from self-awareness and clear priorities.
He has learned how to manage work shifts, family time, and late-night recording sessions through careful planning and commitment to both his callings.
He also credits his personal values for keeping him on track.
“Always put God and family first.
“Respect yourself, respect others, avoid negativity, keep the circle small and manage your time as well as possible,” he said.
On that note Ben encourages others with multiple passions to not limit themselves.
“Stay focused. Stay positive. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone and enjoy every moment of your life,” he said.
Despite his low-key demeanour, Ben’s impact is tangible, especially for Iban youth who see in him a reflection of what’s possible.
“In the music scene, I look up to Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Emmett Ishak of Butterfingers.
“Locally, Mac of Ethnic Transmissions has been a mentor figure,” he said.
But when it comes to his medical journey, he claims no idols.
“That part of my life was just survival until it became a purpose,” he said.
Whether in scrubs or on stage, Ben Jr is forging a path that’s uniquely his own – healing bodies by day and stirring souls by night.
