LMKN Explains the Controversy of Dangdut Royalty that is Spotlighted by Rhoma Irama

JAKARTA - The National Collective Management Institution (LMKN) explained the root of the controversy over the decline in royalties for dangdut music from billions of rupiah to around Rp. 25 million, as highlighted by singer Rhoma Irama.

LMKN Commissioner M. Noor Korompot explained that the issue was not merely a matter of reducing the royalty value, but rather a refusal of distribution by the Collective Management Agency (LMK) Anugerah Royalti Dangdut Indonesia (ARDI).

According to Noor, the refusal was stated in an official letter from ARDI numbered Spm/005/ARDI/XII/2025 dated December 15, 2025.

In the letter, ARDI asked LMKN to convey detailed data that had been validated and the royalty calculation scheme as the basis for distribution to members.

"ARDI requests data that has been validated by the authorities as a reference for the distribution of royalties," Noor said in a statement confirmed, Saturday, quoted by Antara.

He added that ARDI also agreed that the first stage royalty for the period January-June 2025 that was rejected could be accumulated in the next distribution, provided that there was valid data and a transparent and accountable scheme.

In addition, ARDI proposed adding data sources, such as dangdut bars or cafes, dangdut radio, and folk entertainment stages or festivals. This proposal is considered important because the dangdut music market is in many of these sectors.

On the other hand, LMKN emphasized that the distribution of royalties had been carried out based on the data of works that had gone through the verification and validation process, and calculated using the Digital Information Song (DIS) system.

LMKN has also set the formula for the distribution of music royalties for the period 2025 through an official Decree.

In its reply letter dated December 16, 2025, LMKN stated that it accepted ARDI's rejection of the distribution for the period January-June 2025.

If the refusal continues, the royalty fund will be taken into account in the next distribution while waiting for data to be completed.

LMKN also asked ARDI to update the data on works and members by no later than February 1, 2026. The data was only submitted by ARDI on March 2, 2026.

"This data is important to ensure that royalties that have not been identified can be verified and distributed appropriately," explained Noor.

Noor added that LMKN plans to open a dialogue with ARDI to discuss royalty governance constructively. Noor also mentioned that there was an increase in the value of royalties for pedangdut in the upcoming distribution.

He also asked the parties to make a direct clarification to the LMKN before making a statement to the public.

"We want everything to run in a corridor of ethics and clear dialogue," he concluded.

Meanwhile, LMKN has distributed royalties for songs and music for the period January-June 2025 in the non-logsheet category of more than IDR 2.3 billion, to the Collective Management Institution (LMK) of Anugrah Indonesia (RAI) royalties on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Jakarta.

The distribution was attended directly by Rhoma Irama as the founder of LMK RAI.

Previously, dangdut singer Rhoma Irama highlighted the decline in royalty income from the Indonesian Dangdut Royalty Award (ARDI).

Rhoma revealed that the amount of royalties received had decreased drastically, from previously reaching billions of rupiah to only around Rp25 million.

According to him, this raises questions about the mechanism for sharing royalties, given the number of ARDI members which reached around 300 people.