12 minutes
PETALING JAYA: The government is formulating a new Act applicable to the local music industry.
“This Act, that will be similar to the Finas Act, will address issues plaguing the music industry,” said Blues Gang frontman Ito.
The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia Act 1981 (Finas Act) covers the “promotion, nourishment and facilitation of the development of the Malaysian film industry”.
Among the issues musicians face today are piracy, copyright matters and royalty payments.
“This new Act will hopefully address all these problems so that the wellbeing of musicians is protected.”
Ito is on a protem committee which has been asked by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to provide input for the Act.
The committee also consists of renowned Malaysian music personality Jennifer Thompson and other experienced names in the music industry.
“The government’s intention to formulate the Act reflects its aim to safeguard the industry,” he added.
Ito had previously spoken out against how musicians were denied their dues due to improper regulations to cover the industry.
Among others, he had pointed out that children of late ‘50s and early ‘60s artistes had been neglected as royalty payments due to them were not made.
“Some of these children had to resort to collecting rubbish to make ends meet,” he said.
