In a statement, PPM cited two articles published by FMT earlier this month that carried the views of Malaysian Artistes’ Association (Karyawan) president Freddie Fernandez.

PPM claimed that no attempt was made to verify the facts stated in the article, which it said calls into question the integrity of the articles.

It said their role was merely to collect royalties on behalf of the Recording Performers Malaysia Berhad (RPM) and Performers’ Rights and Interest Society of Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PRISM).

“We have no role in mandating their operations with the onus falling on the members of the groups to enquire about distribution, not us,” PPM chairman Rosmin Hashim said.

In response to Fernandez’s call for an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the missing royalties, Rosmin said “our doors and our books are open to the MACC, should they wish to pay us a visit.”

PPM reiterated that any claims suggesting they are involved when it comes to the inability of RPM and PRISM to distribute royalties are “misleading and mischievous”.

With regard to another of Fernandez’s assertions, Rosmin said: “It must be clarified that Music Rights Malaysia Bhd holds significantly less than RM20 million of performers’ royalties.”

He added that government agencies were in the process of calculating and distributing the remaining royalties.

PPM said it hoped the players involved could come together to work towards a productive conclusion, especially since many artistes were struggling due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the performing arts.

“PPM hopes that all affected parties are able to put aside vested interests and work together for the benefit of all involved in the music industry, who ultimately, are made up of individuals,” he said.