Ndhank Calls Royalties From Songs Could Be Only IDR 500 Thousand

Ndhank, the guitarist's employee Stinky (Instagram @ndhank_s_hartono)

JAKARTA - Ndhank Surahman Hartono, former guitarist Stinky, forbade his former band and also Andre Taulany to perform his songs, including two songs that became hits in the late 1990s, possibly and Don't Cover Yourself.

For Ndhank, the royalties obtained from the two songs were too small. After leaving Stinky, he admitted that he got around Rp. 200 thousand to Rp. 500 thousand.

Taking an example of Stinky's appearance during the New Year's event, Ndhank admitted that he received royalties of Rp. 500 thousand from Stinky.

"Stinky yesterday was on the 1st (January) and they are still sending me, they are still transferring Rp. 500 thousand," Ndhank told the media crew in Cinere, Depok, Tuesday, January 2.

Ndhank felt the royalties of his songs were too small. He did not base royalty payments based on total ticket sales as regulated, but looked at them based on the income earned by the performers.

"It's not worth it, it's really sad, while Andre can perform, we know how much it is worth, Stinky also has a rate (paid) of 50 (million) and above. Yes, maybe friends can score, with a pay like that, is that appropriate?" he said.

Moreover, Ndhank admitted that he had just received royalties from every appearance of Stinky recently. For a long time he has not received royalties from his songs.

"(His royalties) since I took a break, not long ago. It can still be counted with how many times," said Ndhank.

"There have only been a few times and in nominal terms it's far away according to friends, you could say it's not worth it," he continued.

According to him, this ban is not just a matter of money. He wants to defend his rights as a songwriter.

"Here I'm not talking about money, talking about rights and morals, because there is a right that I have to accept," concluded Ndhank.