Ahmad Dhani Says Indra Lesmana and Fariz RM Joined AKSI because of Similar Views

Ahmad Dhani with Indra Lesmana, Fariz RM, and Lilo KLa Project (Ivan Two Putra/VOI)

JAKARTA - Ahmad Dhani announced the joining of Indra Lesmana, Fariz RM, and Lilo KLa Project as members of the Association of Composers of All Indonesia (AKSI) in the National Congress held at the Ministry of Culture, Central Jakarta on Wednesday, March 4.

Not to mention, the three big names in the Indonesian music industry were appointed as the AKSI Board of Trustees, headed by Piyu Padi Reborn.

Dhani said that Indra Lesmana and Fariz RM's joining went naturally. The reason is that the two musicians who have been pursuing their careers since the 1970s have the same views as what AKSI has been fighting for three years since its inception.

"No (it's hard to invite Indra Lesmana and Fariz RM to join). They both have the same view on copyright with AKSI," said Dhani, when met after the National Congress.

According to Dhani, the joining of Indra and Fariz is important. He said both of them have high capabilities to talk about copyright which is felt to be unfair for songwriters in Indonesia.

"I think no one understands the music industry better than the two of them," said the leader of Dewa 19.

"They are musicians of the 1980s, I am a musician of the 1990s, yes, if musically no one dares to feel more superior than Indra Lesmana in music or in working like Fariz RM," he added. "I myself don't dare to claim to be more superior than Fariz RM."

Regarding AKSI's view on copyright, Dhani said that a song is a property owned by the composer who wrote it, which cannot be transferred just like that.

"That the song is the property of the songwriter. The property cannot be taken arbitrarily. The property cannot be controlled or transferred arbitrarily. It can't," said Dhani.

"Even the state cannot take the power over the copyright of a song from the song creator. That's the most basic (basis)," he concluded.