KUCHING, July 9: Persatuan Armada Anak Seni Sarawak (Aras) welcomes the move by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to support the establishment of a licensing body responsible for collecting music royalties in Sarawak and Sabah, respectively.
According to a joint statement by Aras chairman Gibson Rentap and Music Right (Sarawak) Berhad (MRSB) managing director Juliet Tan, the move was expressed personally by KPDNHEP Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi during a webinar session organised by the Wisdom Foundation Sabah on June 15.
“As an association that represents song composers, lyricists, record company owners, singers, accompanists in song recordings, music composers and music video makers in Sarawak in general, Aras’ main function is to create awareness on the importance of the copyright of a work of art and it must be paid for its value if used by any party and must be maintained until any time.
“One of the earliest members of Aras, Patrick Kamis, who is also a well known composer, believed that it is time for Sarawak to have its own licensing body to collect music royalties in Sarawak as the local music industry is slowly growing especially the local ethnic songs,” the statement said.
The licensing bodies currently operating in Malaysia are Music Authors’ Copyright Protection (MACP), Public Performance Malaysia (PPM) Berhad and Recording Performers of Malaysia (RPM).
On Sept 28, 2020, Aras has established (MRSB) which is a separate entity to focus on the collection of music royalties and the issuance of music use licenses to specific general audiences in Sarawak.
The scope of royalty collection is only on local Sarawak ethnic songs such as Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Kayan, Kenyah, Lunbawang, Salako and others.
“MRSB has submitted an application as a licensing body with the same function as MACP, PPM and RPM to the Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO) in December 2020.
“If the application is approved, MRSB, which is comprised of songwriters, lyricists, singers, musicians in song recordings, music video makers and local recording companies, will be the licensing body that focuses on the collection of local ethnic songs in Sarawak.
“Therefore, we are very happy that the Minister (Nanta) has given us the green light in principle on the establishment of a licensing body in Sabah and Sarawak respectively,” it added.
At the same time, MRSB has called upon Sarawakian artists who are involved in the ethnic music industry to register as a member so that their work can generate additional income through the payment of royalties every year when MRSB is recognised as a licensing body later.
Those who are interested to know more about Aras and MRSB can visit their Facebook pages at Persatuan Armada Anak Seni Sarawak and Music Right Sarawak Berhad. — DayakDaily
