WAMI Reveals Challenges Faced In Gathering And Distributing Royalties

WAMI Management (Instagram @wami.id)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Music Center (WAMI) is one of the Collective Management Institutions (LMK) in Indonesia, which is tasked with collecting and distributing music royalties.

Adi Adrian as the President Director of WAMI said that what his party was doing had to meet various challenges that were not easy. He realized that the collection of royalties was not optimal.

In terms of collecting royalties for performing rights from song users, Adi acknowledged that there are limitations, especially in areas located far from Jakarta.

"We are trying various ways, we are not likely to open branches in the regions at this time," Adi told the media crew in Cipete, South Jakarta recently.

"So, we cooperate with agents, there are around 20 throughout Indonesia. There are also there to Papua," he continued.

Meanwhile, Makki Parikesit as a member of the WAMI Supervisory Board said that limitations were also in the distribution of royalties to songwriters.

Makki welcomed the increasing number of songwriters who joined the LMK. However, the shortcomings are in the database which is considered incomplete.

"So that WAMI's work becomes perfect, it will definitely require a database (data base). Honestly, we are still not perfect, because from that database we know which one has the right to get it," said Makki.

Even so, Makki ensured that his party would continue to improve to be better. "It's not fair if WAMI is judged for a moment, maybe what is fair if we are judged by what we have done so far."

For information, WAMI managed to collect royalties for performing rights from 1,000 concerts throughout 2024, a five-fold increase compared to the previous year, where only 200 concerts were collected.

Despite the increase, the percentage of royalties collection is not satisfactory enough. Adi Adrian as the President Director of WAMI said that there were still many concert organizers who still had not paid, and did not even respond.

"There are 10,000 monitored, there are 5000 responses, but those who pay are 1,000. That was (last year)," said Adi Adrian.

Adi said that his party had prepared a legal team, and asked law enforcement for help.

"At the end of 2024 we already have a legal team, we can't let it go, we have to find a place to complain, where to? Yes to law enforcement. Please enforce the rules, so they want to pay and don't have to go to the legal process," said Adi.

This effort, said Adi, is also proof that WAMI continues to work to fulfill the economic rights of songwriters who are members.

"This is proof that we are carrying out our obligations to people who already believe in WAMI. The goal is not to imprison, but to those (promotors) understand, to pay royalties," concluded Adi.