This World Radio Day, the Sarawak Tribune celebrates Thomas Tegong Laka, a veteran in the radio broadcasting industry. With over 40 years of experience as a radio announcer, Thomas shares his journey into radio and his experiences after retirement.
From humble beginnings to radio icon
A veteran in the radio broadcasting industry, Thomas Tegong Laka recalled his first time stepping into the office of the Iban section of Radio Malaysia in 1974. At just 18 years old, the country boy stood out from his colleagues. He dressed simply — wearing long trousers and a short-sleeved shirt — while the others were clad in formal office attire. However, his resilient personality helped him push through.
Thomas worked at the radio station from the first day he came in up until his retirement in 2012. Born in Penyana, Mukah, in 1954, he grew up in a village by the Suai River in Niah, Miri. As a young boy, he was always taught the importance of education.
“My parents were eager to send us to school. Even my grandfather, an old man who wore only a loincloth, was determined for us to get an education. He would always tell us to study hard — each time he sent us off to school, he reminded us to learn as much as we could and become educated individuals,” said Thomas, the youngest of two siblings.
Primary school was a breeze for Thomas, as he was naturally smart and charismatic. When it was time to advance to the next level, he successfully enrolled in Subis Secondary School. There, he encountered students from different racial backgrounds speaking various languages. Everything was new to him.
The school’s management was much stricter, and students were expected to help the groundsmen clean the school compound. During his first year, Thomas experienced a lesson that would change his life forever.
“I still remember the time we had chicken curry for dinner. The girls’ table had nice pieces of meat in their curry, whereas the boys’ table mostly had gravy with just a handful of chicken pieces. I thought to myself, ‘How unfair is this?’” Thomas chuckled as he recalled the incident.
A hot-tempered young Thomas marched over to the girls’ table and slammed his hand on it, causing the curry in their bowls to spill. Feeling triumphant, he suddenly noticed the school’s principal, Mr Pang, standing nearby.
“He called me to his office immediately and gave me a choice: either walk away into the darkness outside or receive 12 strokes of the cane. I was terrified, but I knew I had to take the punishment because if I returned home, everyone would ask what had happened.”
“I was caned on both hands, six times each. After that, Mr Pang told me he was disciplining me in a way I would remember for the rest of my life. He said, ‘This is how you will learn proper discipline. I hope you become successful and continue your higher studies.’”
That experience became a turning point for Thomas. Determined to redeem himself, he focused on his studies and achieved excellent results. Looking back, he believed that if he had not been punished, he would have continued with his reckless and lackadaisical ways.
After finishing secondary school, he pursued tertiary education in Miri. However, due to financial constraints, he was unable to complete his studies. During his time in Miri, he unexpectedly ran into Mr Pang again.
“He asked what I was doing, and I told him I was unemployed. He said he would pray for me to find a better job. I thanked him for shaping me into who I am today with the caning. He smiled, hugged me, and said I was a man with a strong heart.”
A better job
Thomas grew up in an era when radio was essential to many. From urban areas to remote villages, radio was a vital tool for disseminating news and information. In his village, men, women and children would crowd around the radio, listening intently. Whenever a major announcement was made, they would cheer in excitement.
One day, while listening to a football commentary on Radio Malaysia Sarawak, Thomas observed the enthusiastic reaction of the listeners. The moment caught his attention and sparked his interest in radio. Not long after, he discovered a vacancy for a duty announcer in the Iban section of the radio station.
Travelling from Miri to Kuching in the early 1970s, Thomas embarked on a life-changing journey. When he was officially hired, he returned home to share the news with his family.
“I told them I was going to Kuching to work for Radio Malaysia. I said they would be able to hear my voice on the radio, even though they couldn’t see my face. My mother was sad about my departure, but I reassured her that it was a great opportunity.”
On his first day at work, he observed his colleagues and learned from them. Before long, he was on par with them and went on to produce numerous shows. Among the many programmes he hosted, one of the most popular was “Pengingat Tuai” on Wai FM.
On the show, he would talk about the history and legends of the Iban people in Borneo, as well as traditional taboos and rituals. Inspired by his grandfather, who deeply upheld Iban culture, Thomas’ programme soon became influential within the Iban community.
Although he has retired from radio broadcasting, “Pengingat Tuai” lives on through social media platforms such as TikTok (Thomas Tegong Laka Official) and YouTube (Ruai Thomas), where he has amassed a following of over 40,000.
When asked why he remained in the radio industry for over 40 years, Thomas said he loved his job. “I never gave up or tried a different field. I was happy to be in Radio Malaysia. I stayed because of my personal interest, dedication and passion as a radio announcer. My lifelong motto is to serve with dedication and enthusiasm.”
Reflecting on how radio announcing has changed over the years, Thomas recalled the challenges of the past. “In 1974, it was much more difficult. When we wanted to play a song, we had to use two turntables to set up vinyl records on a gramophone. Nowadays, everything is just a click away on a computer.”
Preparing for a show was also a time-consuming work, as a significant amount of research is required. “Back then, we had to gather information from various sources, but today, everything is available online.” Even audience responses were different — people used to send letters with postage stamps, whereas now, feedback is collected instantly online through social media.
Despite the evolution of radio broadcasting, the retired radio announcer believes that radio remains relevant, particularly in rural areas. While modern technology has introduced new ways of communication, radio continues to serve as a bridge connecting the past, present, and future. Whether reporting on the struggles of World War II or the recent floods in Bintulu, radio has stood the test of time, and is here to stay
Happy World Radio Day!
