Harry Sabar Still Struggling For Royalties Of His Songs

Harry Sabar (Ivan Two Men/VOI)

JAKARTA - Musician and composer Harry Sabar is still fighting for his rights as a songwriter. He said no party wanted to solve the issue of royalties he was facing.

"I'm still fighting for it, we're fighting for the music isn't finished yet," said Harry Sabar at Senen, Central Jakarta, recently.

Harry Sabar feels that something is wrong in Indonesia's way of treating a cultural product. He said the state should be able to protect the culture of its people.

"I want to ask our country, we are late about cultural recognition. That we have to admit Indonesian culture, don't let us be captured again and then make a fuss," he said.

The man who composed the song Lenggang Jakarta and Catatan Si Boy also gave comparisons from his own experience.

He told how he was valued as a songwriter in Malaysia through his song, "Let's Go".

"Almost 50 years my song in Malaysia explored. That's the name of the song I'm leaving. I'm still hit to this day," said Harry Sabar.

"It's a matter of pride for me too, and also pride for Indonesia. Now, that must be played in maintenance," he continued.

However, Harry Sabar also doesn't want his creativity to stop because of copyright problems. He still wants to continue working.

"It's moral and economic that we are asking again. So, we work first, if the work is good, why not? That (the moral rights and economic rights) will definitely come," concluded Harry Sabar.

For information, Harry Sabar last June held a press conference and stated that he would take firm action against those who used his songs without permission.

"I would like to announce that all parties who use my copyright without my permission or my family violate the law. I will take firm action as I set it in today's media," said Harry Sabar at a press conference in the Cikini area, Central Jakarta on June 24.