Kuala lumpur: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) aims to enhance the royalty management ecosystem in Malaysia to ensure that musicians and artistes continue to benefit from the fruits of their artistic works. Its Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to improving this system through the introduction of Guidelines for Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) under Section 27M of the Copyright Act 1987.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this initiative, led by the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), includes advocacy and compliance efforts for all stakeholders and aims to enhance transparency in royalty collection and distribution. Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali expressed his determination to safeguard the rights of artistes and musicians, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive legal framework to support them throughout their careers.

MyIPO has been entrusted with the authority to issue guidelines concerning the declarations and operations of any party registered as a CMO, as mandated by copyright holders for managing royalty rights. Despite these efforts, a small group remains dissatisfied and has sought judicial review, naming KPDN, MyIPO, and the minister as respondents.

Armizan underscored his responsibility as the current minister to ensure that musicians and artistes continue to earn income not only during their careers but also whenever their work is utilized by others.