Kuala Lumpur: The management of music royalties must continue to be improved and strengthened to ensure the copyrights of local artistes are protected, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said. He emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding artists’ rights through enhanced regulatory measures.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the government, through the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), has introduced operational guidelines for Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) responsible for royalty collection. These CMOs, licensed under the Copyright Act 1987 by MyIPO through Section 27A, represent copyright owners and collect royalties from users of their works. Previously, there were no specific guidelines, but now they can operate under their respective constitutions while adhering to these newly established guidelines.

Armizan highlighted that under the new provisions, MyIPO now has the authority to issue guidelines on matters related to the declaration and operation of CMOs. He noted that advocacy efforts, such as the Music Royalty Advocacy Ceremony, are strategies to enhance understanding, awareness, and engagement among stakeholders, particularly artists, regarding their rights under the Copyright Act.

He further stated that between January 2023 and February 2025, MyIPO received 17,402 copyright registration applications. However, he pointed out that copyright registrations for musical works and sound recordings remain relatively low, with only 170 and 146 applications, respectively. This underscores the need to intensify advocacy and education programmes among target groups, especially emerging artists.

In a separate development, Armizan announced that the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) for Aidilfitri is expected to be announced this week. He mentioned that the details are being finalized to ensure consumers receive fair prices, and there is a plan to expand the list of controlled items. The announcement is expected to be made this week.