Regulatory body will assist music industry’s growth — Rais

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KUALA LUMPUR: The problem of declining revenue currently facing the local music industry would be tackled more effectively with the setting up of a regulatory body for the industry, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said revenue from the music industry which had reached RM250 million per annum before from the sale of compact discs (CDs) and other mediums, had now dropped to RM70 million, which was very worrying.

“The ministry is now drawing up the Malaysia Music Industry Development Bill to be brought to the Cabinet for approval before it is tabled in Parliament,” he said after opening the International Symposium on the Malaysian Music Industry 2010, here, yesterday.

Rais said this was part of the music industry’s development programme under the Tenth Malaysia Plan.

The government had in December last year, approved the proposal to set up a body which would regulate, streamline and boost the music industry, involving collaboration between the government and 13 music associations in the country.

Rais said at the moment, only the film industry had a regulatory body, Finas, but not the music industry.

“So, our music activists also want a body like Finas. But it must be reminded that the private sector too needs to play a role.

“The government alone cannot do it and provide a large capital to set up a music development corporation.”

He said the music industry’s regulatory body would have at least 40 per cent representation from the private sector.

Besides a regulatory body, he said, efforts to strengthen the local music industry would include the implementation of a music policy that encompassed training for the young and encouraging the “not old, not new” programme. — Bernama