National Music Day Proposed To Honour Musicians’ Contributions - Fahmi 

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Musicians should be given due recognition through the establishment of National Music Day as an appreciation for their contributions to the development of Malaysia’s creative industry, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said. 

He said the celebration of a National Music Day is also expected to support musicians in issues related to royalties, employment opportunities and efforts to promote local music and intellectual property at the international level.

“If we have a dedicated music day, we hope that it will reflect the ministry’s and the government’s commitment to making the creative industry and creative economy one of the key drivers of national growth.

“We are proposing to the Cabinet the establishment of a National Music Day, to recognise not only those who perform on stage but also those working behind the scenes,” he told Bernama and RTM after attending the Communications Ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

Also present were Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Information Department (JAPEN) director-general Julina Johan and Broadcasting Department director-general Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman.

Fahmi said the final decision on the proposal to establish National Music Day will be made by the Cabinet, following the completion of a comprehensive study on the music industry conducted with MyCreative Ventures, a government-backed investment arm dedicated to supporting Malaysia's creative industries

“(Decision) perhaps in the coming months… as we will hold detailed discussions based on the findings of the study on the overall state of the music industry,” he said.

Yesterday, Fahmi said the Communications Ministry intends to present the proposal to the Cabinet for the establishment of National Music Day as a nationwide celebration.

He said the matter will be discussed internally within the ministry soon, following the completion of the industry study with MyCreative Ventures.

According to Fahmi, the study also identified several key issues that need to be addressed, including the potential introduction of a specific act to protect and strengthen the local music industry.

-- BERNAMA