Annuar (left) posing with artistes and local Sarawak music industry officials and players yesterday
as they show off their PRISM registration certificates and forms. Also seen are Senorita (centre), Andrewson (fourth left), Richmond (fourth right) and Christopher (third right).
KUCHING: Dayak singers and musicians in Sarawak are encouraged to register with the Performers and Artistes Rights Malaysia Berhad (PRISM) if they want to reap the benefits of their hard work, through royalties and the like.
According to PRISM chairman Annuar Dahlan, it is high time that Dayak singers in Sarawak be aware of how the industry works and how they can continue doing what they like and get paid in royalties.
This was because in his opinion, most artistes throughout the country are either are unaware of their rights or simply did not bother to find out what royalties can be earned from the music they make.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference at a local hotel here yesterday, he hopes to brief all the singers and musicians in Sarawak about PRISM and how the organisation fights for their rights if they register.
“PRISM promises better payment for artistes and performers here in the country. We hope that they (artistes) in turn trust us with collecting the payment for them as we really just wanted to see artistes in Malaysia get what they deserve for their music,” he added.
Explaining to reporters who can register with PRISM, Annuar revealed that there are a few types of memberships but no matter which category one is applying for, one must first and foremost have recorded materials released and declared as their original work, if they are to get paid.
“Registering with PRISM means that members will get paid should their songs be played live in public or on the radio, television or other media that involves broadcasting music to the public. We have our mechanism and should any artiste be interested, we can explain it to them further in detail if they contact us,” said Annuar.
Also present during the press conference were Association of Sarawak-born Singers vice president Datin Senorita Linang, renowned Dayak singers Andrewson Ngalai, Richmond Allan Morshidi, Christopher Kelly Landong and a few others.
Andrewson, when interviewed by thesundaypost after the press conference, commented that he was relieved to see an organisation like PRISM being formed, as he believes that PRISM will fight for the rights of artistes in Sarawak.
“I believe that PRISM is the best outlet to help Sarawakian artistes, especially from the
Dayak music industry, get paid properly. Thus I hope all artistes in Sarawak register and show support or PRISM as I believe artistes will get paid fairly (when they register with PRISM),” he commented.
PRISM was incorporated officially in May 15, 2012 and is a company limited by guarantee, which means that there are no shareholders so no dividends can be paid out.
Its main role is to collect, distribute and protect the interest and rights of performers in the country.