Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said the decision was made to replace the two bodies that managed royalties of singers and musicians prior to this.

“This issue has dragged on because before this with too many bodies set up to manage the royalty payments and this had caused confusion, thereby disrupting the payment process.

“Thus, the ministry will make arrangements and it will be established as soon as possible. The date will be announced later,” he said after a closed door meeting with about 200 artistes from the music industry last night.

Hamzah said that all royalty proceeds would only be made by one company which will distribute them according to a percentage that is to be announced in the near future.

He said the new company would be chaired by a government representative through the ministry with its membership comprising composers, artistes, recording companies and representatives of artistes.

– BERNAMA