English

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
MALAYSIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY HITS HIGH NOTES WITH THE NATIONAL
CREATIVE INDUSTRY POLICY (DIKN)
Kuala Lumpur, 18 February 2014 – The Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) in association
with the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (MCM) and its industry partners has achieved a
fulfilling year in 2013 by successfully rolling out various significant initiatives aimed at developing the
local music industry and to improve music export revenue for the national economy.
Since the launch and visionary implementation of the National Creative Industry Policy or ‘Dasar Industri
Kreatif Negara’ (DIKN) in 2011 by the then Ministry of Information, Communication & Culture in
collaboration with the Performance Management & Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) under the Prime Minister’s
Department, the Malaysian Government has continuously provided strong support for the local music
industry and its players. This is especially with the inclusion of the DIKN as part of Malaysia’s progressive
Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), formulated to elevate the country to developed-nation
status by 2020 and centred on raising Malaysia's global competitiveness.
Under DIKN, a fund amounting to RM6.5 million has been allocated specifically for the music industry.
The six (6) main projects which were lined up and rolled out under the DIKN music initiatives for 2013
include (i) the organisation of a trade delegation to the Marche International du Disque et de l’Edition
Musicale (MIDEM) in Cannes, France in 2013 and 2014, (ii) the launch of two other Anugerah Industri
Muzik (AIM) award shows for the Chinese and Indian music segments as an addition to the annual AIM
awards for the Malay music industry, (iii) the introduction of Matching Grants for Music Video production,
(iv) the introduction of Overseas Tour Support Grants, (v) the organisation of a music professional
accreditation programme spearheaded by Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia (Karyawan) and finally, (vi) the
inaugural FORUMUZIK, a national level music industry forum featuring both local and international
industry experts.
1) Trade Delegation to Marche International du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale (MIDEM) 2013 &
2014
2013: In January 2013, RIM led a Malaysian delegation comprising government officials, 15 local music
companies and 8 performing recording artistes to MIDEM in Cannes, France, the world’s largest annual
international business event for music, audio production and all other music related industries. MIDEM is
the longest running tradeshow and conference in the music business attended by major labels,
independent labels, distributors, agents, managers, promoters, media, digital music representatives and
other important players in the global music community.
With MIDEM, RIM has taken the initiative to bring and truly promote the Malaysian music industry
overseas to generate larger economic returns for the industry and the Malaysian economy. Various
business discussion sessions were organised between the Malaysian trade delegation and international
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music industry players including a special “Networking Village” session which were especially organised
by MIDEM for Malaysia as a first time country participant.
To create a bigger impact from Malaysia’s presence at MIDEM, a “Malaysian Supernova Concert” was also
organised at the Salon des Ambassadeurs, Palais des Festival, Cannes to showcase the various Malaysian
local talents from different genres of music. Chosen based on their credentials and awards, being export
ready and their ability to perform live before an international audience, the concert featured vibrant
performances from Jaclyn Victor, Hujan, Bunkface, Sasi The Don, Nadhira, Amanda Imani, Ze! and
Goldfish & Blink. The concert was witnessed by MIDEM trade participants and general audience.
Photo 1a: The Vice Secretary General of the
Ministry of Information, Communication and
Culture, Y. Bhg Datuk Hj. Ab. Ghaffar A. Tambi
posing together with some of the Malaysian trade
participants and artistes in front of the Malaysian
Pavilion at MIDEM 2013.
Photo 1b: Aurélie Filippetti, France’s Minister of
Information and Culture took the time to visit the
Malaysian Pavilion on the second day of MIDEM, 27th
January, 2013.
Photo 1c: Y. Bhg Datuk Hj. Ab. Ghaffar A. Tambi
(middle) together with Dr. Fadhlullah Suhaimi
Abdul Malek, Director, NKEA (PEMANDU) (fourth
from left) in front of the Malaysian Pavilion with
other trade participants and a representative from
the Malaysian Convention & Exhibition Bureau
(MyCEB)
Photo 1d: Jaclyn Victor performing in front of an
international audience during the Malaysian
Supernova Concert at MIDEM.
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2014: In February 2014, RIM once again led a Malaysian delegation to MIDEM and this time it was joined
by 17 local record companies and 4 recording artistes which include Shila Amzah, Goldkartz, Azlan & the
Typewriter and ThomasJack. With better preparation, Malaysia’s participation in 2014 created a bigger
impact to all trade participants and exhibition visitors. Various business networking sessions were
organised including an event called the ‘Malaysia Networking Reception’ to give more opportunity for
global industry players to network with Malaysian participants and create various collaboration and
business deals. The ‘Malaysian Supernova Concert’ which was organised at the Magic Mirror also received
positive response from concert goers with some regarding it as ‘the best concert put up this year at
Midem’.
Photo 2a: The Under Secretary of the Policy and
Strategic Planning Unit, Ministry of Communications
and Multimedia, Dr. Ismail Jamaluddin (middle),
RIM Chairman, Norman Abdul Halim (third from
left), RIM CEO, Ramani Ramalingam (second from
left) posing together with CEO of REED MIDEM, Mr.
Paul Zilk (third from right) and MIDEM International
Sales Manager, Guillaume Crisafulli (far right) at
MIDEM 2014.
Photo 2b: Malaysian delegates discussing with fellow
market attendees at the Malaysian Pavilion.
Photo 2c: Azlan & The Typewriter wowed the crowd
with their powerful performance at Malaysian
Supernova Concert.
Photo 2d: Shila Amzah performing in front of an
international audience during the Malaysian
Supernova Concert at MIDEM 2014.
2)
(i)
Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) Chinese Awards 2013
After an absence of 12 years, RIM revived the AIM Chinese Awards which was successfully organised at
the prestigious Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on 6 July 2013 and telecast to the
public on Astro’s AEC channel on Merdeka Day, 31 August 2013. The aim was to honour the many talents
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and contributors within the local Chinese language music industry and to create a platform to encourage
local talents and producers to produce good quality music for the Chinese speaking community in
Malaysia and also for the global market.
Ably organised by a RIM committee chaired by Ong Lay Jin, a well-known figure in the Malaysian Chinese
language music industry, it was attended by some the biggest names within the scene such as A Bin,
Daniel Lee, Z-Chen, ThomasJack, Platform 11, Eric Lin and dayDream. The event witnessed the
attendance of our local Greater China based superstar artistes such as Penny Tai, singer/songwriter Aniu
and Eric Moo, who was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution Award for his internationally known
work in the music industry.
Themed “Heritage”, the event saw Z-Chen being celebrated as the biggest winner of the night going
home with the Best Male Vocal Performance and Best Album awards. His album also won the awards for
Best Composer (Jin Yu Liang Yan), Best Lyricist (for the song Xiang Feng Hen Zao) and Best Song
Arrangement (also by Yu).
Photo 3a: The AIM Chinese Awards 2013 was
launched by Norman Abdul Halim, Chairman of RIM,
Ong Lay Jin, Chairman of the Organising Committee
and partners of the awards.
Photo 3c: Best New Artiste winners at the AIM
Chinese Awards 2013
2)
(ii)
Photo 3b: A group photo of the players of Malaysian
Chinese language music industry during the launch
of the AIM Chinese Awards 2013.
Photo 3d: Eric Moo was honoured with the
Outstanding Contribution Award for his amazing
work in the music industry.
Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) Malaysian-Indian Awards 2013
Launched in March, the inaugural AIM Malaysia Indian Awards 2013 was held with strong industry support
at the Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam on 12 October 2013 and subsequently telecast to the
general public via Astro’s Vaanavil channel on 15 December 2013. With 2 well-known industry legends in
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Suseela Menon and Dato’ Freddie Fernandez as co-chairs of the RIM organising committee, winners of 16
song and album categories were announced at the star-studded show. In addition to the judged award
categories, the Kembara Award was bestowed upon Yogi B for his efforts and success in promoting local
Indian music abroad. Further, Mr. N. Mariappan, better known as “Isai Thendral”, was honoured with the
coveted Sri Wirama Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his valuable contributions to the
Malaysian-Indian music industry throughout his involvement as an Indian classical music expert.
Guests were treated to 10 live performances from an impressive line-up of new, developing and
established artistes including Ashtaka, Jay, Goldkartz, Thila Laxshman, Shruthi J., OG Dass, Coco Nantha
and many more. Attended by a 1900-strong audience, the event also saw special appearances by
celebrities and public figures in the Malaysian-Indian community who presented the awards to winners.
Heading this list was the popular Chennai-based carnatic music superstar, Mr. P. Unnikrishnan with other
singer celebrities, Dato’ David Arumugam, Datuk DJ Dave and Datin Seri Manimala.
Photo 4a: Deputy Minister of the Ministry of
Information, Communication and Culture, YB Datuk
Maglin Dennis D'Cruz (two from right) accompanied by
Dato' Freddie Fernandez and Suseela Menon as CoChairpersons of the Organising Committee of the AIM
Malaysian-Indian Awards 2013 together Rosmin
Hashim, RIM Secretary after the launch of the event.
Photo 4b: The launch of the AIM Malaysian-Indian
Awards 2013 was attended by the industry’s biggest
names showing full support of the initiative.
Photo 4c: Norman Abdul Halim, Chairman of RIM
together with Mr. Mariappan, recipient of the Sri
Wirama Award, AIM Malaysian-Indian Awards 2013
Photo 4d: Closing finale of the AIM Malaysian-Indian
Awards 2013
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3)
FORUMUZIK
The inaugural FORUMUZIK was organised by RIM in association with the Ministry of Communications and
Multimedia on 9 & 10 December 2013 at the Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. A national forum for the
Malaysian music community and related industries, it brought forth matters of importance regarding the
local music industry in the context of today’s highly competitive market, current trends in technology
and media. Officiated by Datuk Jailani Johari, Deputy Minister of the MCM, the forum witnessed invited
panels of speakers and moderators discussing topics such as Digital Music and Distribution, New Era of
Music Publishing, Live Music!, Going Global and Media & Music. The programme also featured one-on-one
live interview sessions with two of the country’s most successful recording artistes, Joe Flizzow and
Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza, dubbed the President of Malaysian Hip Hop and Malaysia’s Number One Performer
respectively with segments subsequently broadcast on Astro’s Awani channel.
The panel of speakers and moderators for FORUMUZIK comprised a select number of experienced and
well informed professionals from the different segment of the music and related industries. This included
Afizulazha Abdulla (Chief Digital Services Officer, Celcom Axiata Berhad), Dr. Fadhlullah Suhaimi Abdul
Malek (Director at PEMANDU), Ong Peng Chu (Project Director, Shila Amzah Entertainment Berhad),
Calvin Wong (Regional Vice President, Warner Music), Habsah Hassan (Chairman, MACP), Kenney Shiu
(Director of Asian Music Publishers Association), Ng Ay Na (Chairperson, Music Publishers Association and
Malaysian Music Publishers), Ng Cheong Hock (Chairman, One Stop Music Berhad), Irene Savaree (CEO &
President, International College of Music), Jeremy Little (CEO, Tune Studios), Audi Mok (Composer) and
Salammusik fresh off their first European tour. Salammusik, Azlan & the Typewriter and an eight-year old
musical wunderkind, Hazury, from Kemaman, Terengganu, also performed at the event during intervals.
Photo 5a: Moderated by Ang Kwee Tiang, IFPI Asian
Regional Director, panelists for ‘Digital Music and
Distribution’ were Sandy Monteiro – President, Universal
Music Group, Tan Chee Meng – Spotify, Ng Cheong Hock
– Chairman, One Stop Music Berhad and Jason Vandal –
Director of themovemint.com
Photo 5b: Upon officiating the event, Datuk Jailani
Johari, Deputy Minister at the Ministry Of
Communications and Multimedia Malaysia joined
Norman Abdul Halim, Chairman of RIM to listen to the
panel discussions that took place at FORUMUZIK.
Photo 5c: Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza moments before going up
on stage for a live one-on-one interview moderated by
Shazwan of Astro Awani.
Photo 5d: Moderated by Ben Ibrahim, panel members
for the discussion on ‘Media and Music’ included
Kudsia Kahar – President, Commercial Radio Malaysia,
Azlin Reza – Head of General Entertainment Channel,
Malay Business of Astro and Reshmonu.
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4)
Matching Grants for Music Video (MTV) Production
A fund was introduced in the form of matching grants in which 50% of the full music video production
cost will be reimbursed by the Government. This is to support and encourage the production of high
quality music videos which could later be used to effectively export local music to the international
market. Applications were open to all Malaysian individuals and record labels. The MCM has to date
approved 253 MTV grant applications covering production costs such as art direction, technical
requirements, props, costumes, latest technological applications, editing and related items.
5)
Overseas Tour Support Grants
To support local music talents in the promotion and marketing of their products internationally, a
maximum fund of RM 30,000 each was allocated for this purpose covering costs for air travel,
accommodation, media interviews, promotional showcases, photography sessions or any related
promotional items. So far, 47 tour support grant applications have been approved by the MCM.
6)
Professional Music Accreditation Programmes
Spearheaded by Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia in association with RIM, a series of intensive professional
music accreditation programmes were organised at Felda Residence Trolak, Perak and Thistle Hotel, Port
Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. Targeting students from various local music faculties such as UPSI, ASWARA
and UITM; and also new singing talents who are only beginning to be involved in the industry, they were
given a crash course on music education and other matters that need to be taken seriously to ensure
success in becoming quality entertainers and performers.
A total of 117 musicians and singers from various sectors of the industry, from recording artistes to hotel
and club musicians and singers, entertainers and sessions artistes took part in the Accreditation Program.
Out of these a total of 74 artistes, singers and musicians, will be presented with Certificates of
Accreditation.
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“This stellar performance in 2013 is the result of tremendous hard work by RIM and its industry partners.
Of course, we could not have done it without the strong support received from various Government
ministries in particular the then Ministry of Information, Communications & Culture and the Ministry of
Communications and Multimedia (MCM) throughout the period. The introduction of the National Creative
Industry Policy (DIKN) has undoubtedly contributed significantly to the growth of the Malaysian music
industry, providing support for initiatives such as innovation, music training and new approaches to
increase quality home-grown music exports. On behalf of the local music community, we hope that the
support would continue in years to come” enthused Norman Abdul Halim, Chairman of RIM.
Amongst the other development strategies laid down in the DIKN is the Music Industry Development Plan
(‘Dasar Industri Muzik Negara’ or DIMN) which encompasses the following main areas:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
Establishing a Central Music Industry Oversight Body
Developing Creative Human Capital;
Creating a Conducive Live Performance Environment (concert venues);
Increasing Promotional Efforts;
Upgrading Law Enforcement in Anti-Piracy Operations;
Upgrading Skills in Technological Applications;
Strengtehening Research, Innovation & Commercialisation;
Preservating & Archiving of Music Materials (music heritage museum); and
Recognising & Supporting Veteran Artistes
Still in its drafting stages, the MCM is looking at developing and implementing the DIMN with feedback
from various government agencies and industry experts on how to create a conducive environment and
facilitate the development of the Malaysian music industry.
-END-
About Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM)
The Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) is the national industry trade association set up to
represent locally incorporated recording companies in Malaysia. RIM currently represents almost 300 such
companies and businesses, all of which are involved in the production, manufacturing and distribution of local
and international sound, music video and karaoke recordings.
For more information, please visit www.rim.org.my
Press & Media Contact:
Muhammad Nizam Hj. Khamis (Jiman)
Senior Manager, Membership, Events & Communications, RIM
L-8-2, 8th Floor, Block L
No. 2, Jalan Solaris, Solaris Mont’ Kiara
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 6207 2800
E-mail: nizam.khamis@rimgroup.my
Jumiza Judin
Senior Executive, Events & Communications, RIM
Tel: +603 6207 2976
E-mail: jumiza.judin@rimgroup.my
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