Once Mekel's Criticism for the Government Regarding Royalty Collection

The former vocalist of Dewa, Once Mekel, held a press conference at Kios Ojo Keos, Jakarta, Friday. (Rifky Nugraha / VOI)

JAKARTA - The former vocalist of Dewa 19, Once Mekel, criticized the Indonesian government. This criticism is about the royalty collection system which is still not optimal.

"I really want the state or government to pay great attention to the music industry system in Indonesia", he said when met at Kios Ojo Keos, Jakarta, Friday, March 31.

"So, the current condition is that the state regulates but does not provide money. So what I see is that the implementation of mass collection of royalties has not been maximized because they also need funds", he continued.

"The establishment of an electronic system like this is also expensive. If there is no funding from the state, then the money will be taken from the percentage taken by the LMKN (National Collective Management Institute) from the creator. It will be deducted again", he explained again.

Then, the Dealova singer added, the government must provide funds to launch this system.

"It has to be made into a good system. I hope that the government, in the LMKN and electronic system that has been built, will provide funds that may come from the APBN (Indonesian State Revenue and Expenditure Budget) to operationally support this system so that it runs. At least in making ongoing electronic system", he said.

Under these circumstances, he doesn't want the future of various musicians in the country to fade.

"Because this concerns many people, not just me. But, there are many people who become singers. So, don't let the potential of Indonesian music dim because of conflicts like this", he said.

"It's like people singing but maybe it's not like me who can make songs, 'ah you don't need it, it's complicated. There's no future'"

"So, hopefully, with this there will be a new policy", he concluded.