PETALING JAYA: Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia (Karyawan) and Federasi Serikat Musisi Indonesia (Fesmi) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work closely to promote the music industries of Malaysia and Indonesia.
“This will enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the music bodies of both countries. This will also create more opportunities for artistes to perform.
“Of course, we will also assist in problems that may crop up between artistes and promoters, or other issues they may face in the course of their visits,” Fesmi president Candra Darusman said.
“Malaysian and Indonesian artistes have been gaining popularity in each other’s music markets for many years now.
“Malaysian artistes such as Siti Nurhaliza, Search, Exist, Slam and Iklim are very popular in Indonesia.
“There is also a long list of Indonesian bands and artistes – such as Rossa, Krisdayanti, Sheila on 7 and Dewa – who have become household names in Malaysia,” Karyawan president Freddie Fernandez said.
“This collaboration will ensure that many more artistes are given the opportunity to leverage on this harmonious relationship between us in future.”
Candra said artistes will be encouraged to work with their respective associations to arrange shows, concerts, promotions, television and radio appearances, as well as media coverage during their visits to help promote their music.
Recently, an Indonesian band faced some problems with a promoter, which then led to discussions between Karyawan and Fesmi.
A Karyawan spokesman said this led to Fernandez and Candra deciding to have a formal agreement between the two bodies representing artistes from both countries.
Candra said the MoU extended to intellectual property rights and royalties.
Fernandez said work has begun on possible music festivals to promote artistes in both countries.