My First Ever Live Interview On RedFM Sarawak

At about 10.15am this morning, my handphone rang. Glancing at it, I saw that the caller was Abang Mohd Tosen. He said he was ready to pick me up but I told him I was not ready yet as I had asked him to pick me at around 11.30am.

I quickly shut down my laptop and went to change into more formal attire. After applying some gel to my hair, I quickly combed my hair. Looking into the mirror, I told myself to be calm. Then I called Abang to let him know that I was ready.

Fast forward to 11:20am. A security guard brought Abang and I to Red Conty where Rosalind Tan was in the midst of doing her show. Rosalind invited us into her studio and we had several photos taken.

Watching Rosalind doing her show was a revelation of how poised, professional and confident she is in her job. I truly envy her for having a job that she has a lot of passion for.

There I was, sitting in the fancy RedFM studio, waiting for the interview to begin at 12.15pm. A large microphone sat on the table in front of me. I could not help being anxious as I know the programme is being broadcast to lots of listeners out there. And I know some of my college mates were tuning in from as far away as Australia.

The seconds seemed to tick by at an agonizingly slow speed. I waited and waited and was beginning to feel a bit panicky. Fortunately Rosalind did her best to put me at ease.

This was going to be my first experience of being interviewed live on radio. I could easily imagine the listeners listening to me talk about a college reunion in Miri. I bet some of them would just turn off the radio as the reunion had nothing to do with them.

Knowing these thoughts could easily be flying through my head during the interview and pulling me out of the moment, I decided to do what I could to curb the nerves. I did not deny the fact that I was nervous. I just accepted it. Just right before the interview started, I stretched myself and took a deep breath.

The interview started. I knew I spoke too fast as that was my nature. And on occasions, I thought I would try to relax by leaning back on the chair that I was sitting on, causing my voice to be barely audible as the microphone was rendered too far away.

I answered seven questions from Rosalind about the Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang Year 1975-1976 reunion that is going to take place in Miri from January 22 to January 23. After me, it was Abang’s turn to be interviewed. Abang was my roommate at Tiong Hostel in 1976.

After the interview was over, I smiled a giant smile, shook hands with Rosalind, and heaved a great sigh of relief.

I know this experience will become a milestone in my humble life journey. And I wish to extend a sincere thank you to Rosalind for this opportunity to appear on a live radio interview.