Association Of Indonesian Music Promoters Reveals Differences In Stadium Rentals In Indonesia And Neighboring Countries

Stadium as a concert venue (DOC BETWEEN PHOTOS)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Music Promoter Association (APMI) feels that the comparison of how they operate cannot simply be compared to promoters in neighboring countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia.

This fact was conveyed by Novry Hetharia, Head of APMI Advocacy and Licensing Division, after receiving questions at the General Hearing Meeting (RDPU) on Harmonization of the Copyright Bill with the Legislation Body (Baleg) of the DPR RI on Tuesday, November 18.

Novry explained that music promoters in neighboring countries can operate more comfortably because of the full support from the local government, especially regarding the use of concert locations (venues).

"The government in Singapore or Malaysia, they provide a lot of subsidies to promoters, including convenience to use venues and low venue prices," said Novry, launching Parliament TV, Wednesday, November 19.

The use of stadiums for concert purposes in Indonesia, especially in Jakarta, said Novry, costs a lot more than the two neighboring countries.

"So like us, if we look at the rental venue here, the stadium, we have to close IDR 7 billion (until) IDR 8 billion. In Malaysia, it's only IDR 200 million," said Novry.

"For renting a stadium, we'd better build it there. Because it's clear here the costs, and here there are no stadiums that accommodate it, there are only two, namely in GBK and JIS," he continued.

The problem hasn't stopped there. Novry said, in some cases, music promoters had to surrender when the concerts they held clashed with sporting match schedules.

"So, even if we have paid the full amount, but if for example there is an agenda for sports for football, we can shift it. Meanwhile, we have paid tens of billions to the artist. And sometimes they don't want to slide (schedule) or don't even want to refund (return money)," he said.

In this case, Novry stated that APMI encourages the government's active involvement to support the promotion of the music performance ecosystem.

"So, we need government support. And then (there is a need) infrastructure. If possible, there are new concert spaces that can support other countries to come to Indonesia," he concluded.