Artistes seek MACC probe of ‘hidden hands’ in royalties fiasco

 

Freddie Fernandez, president of Karyawan, is to seek MACC intervention in a dispute over music royalties.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Artistes’ Association (Karyawan) is to seek the intervention of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in a dispute over some RM30 million in unpaid royalties for recording artistes.

Karyawan president Freddie Fernandez said he was dismayed by the possibility that several “hidden hands” might have manipulated the collection of royalties for their own gain.

Fernandez, a member of the MACC advisory panel, said he will ask the anti-graft agency to conduct checks on the four companies involved.

The companies are: Public Performance Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PPM), representing recording companies; Recording Performers Malaysia Berhad (RPM); insolvent firm Performers’ Rights and Interest Society of Malaysia Berhad (Prism) and Music Authors Copyright Protection Berhad (MACP), which acts for composers and publishers of music.

Fernandez said: “We would like MACC to investigate whether there are elements of corruption in the running of the four bodies.”

FMT reported on Oct 3 that close to RM30 million in royalties – owed to recording artistes, musicians and performers – was lying idle with two companies authorised to distribute the payments.

Fernandez said the MACC investigation should also cover Prism Sdn Bhd, forerunner to Prism Bhd, which was in operation from 2001 to 2011.

A forensic audit of the five bodies was needed to check on possible corruption in their operations, he added.

Prism Sdn Bhd ceased operations after PPM cancelled their contract for the collection of royalties for recording artistes.

Fernandez said he will seek a meeting with MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki to brief him on the issue that has raged over the last 20 years.

In 2000, the Copyright Act was amended to ensure that artistes were paid every time one of their recorded songs was played in public.

Before that, only MACP and PPM collected royalties following an amendment to the Copyright Act in 1987.

Fernandez welcomed the move to place the music industry under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia.

He said minister Saifuddin Abdullah had invited the three remaining bodies in the collection of royalties – MACP, PPM and RPM – to a meeting chaired by him on Sept 10 to obtain suggestions to resolve the outstanding issues.

“However, it was disappointing that RPM as the only remaining active body representing artistes after Prism had closed down, failed to send a representative to attend the meeting,” he said.

He said the board and management of RPM cited Covid-19 fears as the reason for their no-show. - FMT