KUALA LUMPUR: Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia (Karyawan) has welcomed the Communications and Multimedia Ministry's recent move to set up a governing body for the music industry.
Its president Datuk Freddie Fernandez said that it was great news as the body would provide the impetus for the development of the music industry through the provision of funds and problem-solving initiatives.
"We were recently informed by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah that the cabinet had approved the setting up of the body which will look after regulatory aspects of the industry," he said in a statement yesterday.
"The industry is facing multifarious challenges at the moment with players struggling to come to terms with the changing business environment and new developments constantly emerging in the way music is produced, marketed and consumed."
Fernandez added: "Besides this the lockdowns experienced over the last 18 months have resulted in opportunites for live music performances to practically disappear, with cancellations of concerts and closures of music clubs and pubs for a long time. Many have resorted to virtual performances to try and supplement their income but the response to these has been disappointing.
"Unemployment is widespread and many music practitioners have had to seek other forms of work to cover their living costs.
"Many have sold off belongings and instruments while others have resorted to food delivery to survive."
Fernandez said that Karyawan was glad that the government had come up with programmes such as Muzik Dari Rumah (Music From Home) to assist performers in need and this was greatly appreciated.
He added that the new body should look into resolving issues faced by industry players in music royalty collection.
"Since we are starting from ground zero this is a good opportunity for the new body to assist the music industry to take stock of the situation and chart a course for the future, giving due attention to the younger generation of new talents who have entered the industry in the hope of leveraging on their talent to make a name for themselves.
"We must give necessary attention to the quality of compositions, arrangements, productions, mixing and mastering as well as new revenue streams for the industry.
"Training programmes, seminars and workshops should be held regularly to assist new players to familiarise themselves with the latest techniques in music technology.
"They should also be given guidance on the new methods of marketing music, and using social media as a tool to garner attention for their products."
Fernandez added that before the minister's announcement was made, major associations representing the music industry had set up a proposed National Music Industry Council to assist the government in carrying out recovery programmes for the industry.
The associations that make up the pro-tem committee of the council are Alife (Arts Live Events and Festivals Association), AMCA (Association of Malaysian Chinese Artistes), Aras (Persatuan Armada Anak Seni Sarawak), Irama (Persatuan Konsortium Industri Rakaman Malaysia), Karyawan, MAME (Malaysian Association for Music Education), MISAA (Malaysian Indian Singers and Actors Association), Persatuan Dikir Barat Malaysia (Pendikir), Persatuan Komposer dan Pembikin Video Sabah (Score), Persatuan Pemuzik Malaysia, Persatuan Pemuzik Pulau Pinang, and Smart Club (Kelab Bakat Dan Pelbagai Seni Sabah).
"We hope that the government will engage in discussion with this council for any information and advice on the music industry. We also hope that the ministry in charge will make the right decisions to ensure that the most qualified and experienced people will be appointed to the body, for the long-term well-being of Malaysian music," said Fernandez.