Recording industry group defends royalty payment guidelines challenge

The Recording Industry Association of Malaysia denied the claim that Public Performance Malaysia is its collection body.

PETALING JAYA: The Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) has defended the challenge by Public Performance Malaysia (PPM) and collective management organisations (CMO) against the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO)’s copyright guidelines.

In a statement, RIM said PPM and the CMOs fully support any regulatory measure to enhance transparency and good governance for the benefit of creators.

"However, problematic provisions in the issued guidelines made it necessary for the CMOs to submit them to court for a judicial review," it said.

RIM declined to comment on the merits of the challenge while the matter remains before the courts.

"The existence of legal proceedings should not, in itself, be interpreted as evidence that an organisation opposes transparency or the protection of creators," it added.

RIM also denied the claim that PPM is its collection body, saying PPM is a separate entity with its own set of members and board of directors.

On Oct 7, the Malaysian Artistes’ Association (Karyawan) criticised RIM's call for funds to be set aside to promote Malaysian music internationally.

Karyawan said it was difficult to reconcile RIM’s request to the government for public funds with its move at the same time to contest the copyright guidelines. Karyawan also said RIM, through PPM as its collection body, along with two other CMOs, were challenging the guidelines in court.

RIM chairman Rosmin Hashim previously called on the government to establish a dedicated fund under the 2027 budget "to propel local music onto the global stage".

However, Karyawan said the industry’s problem was not a lack of funding but accountability, with artistes continuing to raise concerns over delayed royalty payments and a lack of transparency in how collections are calculated and distributed.

RIM said concerns over individual artiste's royalty payments should be investigated separately and not taken as proof that the entire system lacks transparency.

Complementary, not competing priorities

RIM said its call for a dedicated music fund is intended to support international showcases, overseas promotion, digital marketing and collaborations that can help Malaysian artistes and music companies access new markets.

"The focus should therefore be on ensuring that funding is properly implemented and delivers measurable benefits, rather than presenting investment and accountability as competing priorities.

"This proposal does not replace domestic market development; it complements it," RIM said, responding to Karyawan's claim that it is premature to talk about global expansion if Malaysian music does not have a strong presence in its own home market.

RIM also said it does not agree that domestic promotion must be completed before international promotion can begin, arguing that both are necessary and complementary to the long-term development of the music industry.

It said Japan and South Korea are examples of how sustained investment in talent, production and promotion can boost domestic demand and expand access to international markets.