[UPDATED] Music Rights Sabah Bhd now licensing body for music royalties

KOTA KINABALU – The government has recognised Music Rights Sabah Bhd (MRS) as the licensing body for the collection of royalties for local singers, musicians, music video makers, and recording companies in Sabah.

The recognition is effective January 7, according to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry last night.

MRS is the country’s seventh licensing body to be declared by national intellectual property regulator MyIPO as a copyright controller to collect music royalties and issue licences in the state.

The decision comes following grouses from Sabah local artists that they have been getting a pittance from royalties over the last 30 years given the control of royalties by copyright organisations in Peninsular Malaysia.

Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau also welcomed the call for separate music industry copyright bodies in Sabah and Sarawak last year.

The Vibes reported in June last year that ethnic music composers were earning as low as RM15 a year for airplays of local hits.

There previously were only six copyright companies: Music Authors Copyright Protection Bhd, Public Performance Bhd, Recording Performers Bhd, MPLC Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Reprographic RIghts Centre Malaysia Bhd and Music Right (Sarawak) Bhd.

MRS’ formation was launched today by Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi at a function held here last night.

Local composer Asmin Mudin, famed composer of Sayang Kinabalu, told The Vibes that MRS’ formation had been expected.

“With the creation of MRS, popular Sabah songs like Sayang Kinabalu will no longer get RM124 a year. 

“It is expected that local ethnic songs will be rewarded accordingly and nicely in royalty payments in future.” – The Vibes, January 17, 2022