Word Has It…: Wanted: More Local Airtime
Fernandez met with the Minister of Energy, Water and Communication last month.
THE petition by the Malaysian Artistes Association or Persatuan Karyawan Malaysian (Karyawan) to the government to make it compulsory for privately-owned radio stations to have 90 per cent of local music content to alleviate the problems of the music industry, has made some headway.
The Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication confirmed that it has handed over the matter to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for review.
Earlier last month, Karyawan president Freddie Fernandez and singer/composer/producer/actor M.Nasir met with its minister, Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor, at his office in Putrajaya to discuss the problems plaguing the music industry.
At the meeting, Fernandez reiterated that the industry needed airtime for foreign songs to be limited to 10 per cent for the local music to survive, as most radio stations prefer playing popular Indonesian songs.
Shaziman said the government was committed to addressing issues faced by the industry. All that’s needed, he said, was to get the cooperation of private radio stations too.
At present, all private radio stations have abided by the content requirements set by the authorities - the 60:40 ratio of local to foreign songs.
Statistics show that most stations play more local tunes than mandated, averaging at 70.8 per cent.
Fernandez stressed that a total of 68 local albums were released last year but not all the artistes have been getting fair airplay.
He also blamed the dwindling revenues of the industry on radio stations’ preference for foreign music.
In 1996, the music industry raked in a staggering RM315 million, which has now declined to RM60 million.
JAZZ/R&B singer Noryn Aziz is on cloud nine. Her Hari Raya celebration will see her serenading the country’s dignitaries, politicians and VVIPs when she performs at the open house of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today.
Noryn has chosen four songs including Suara Takbir and Selamat Hari Raya.
“My family is in Shah Alam so I really don’t mind working on the first day of Hari Raya. It’s an honour to be able to perform at an important event hosted by our Prime Minister,” said the 33-year-old Noryn.
Others performing include Malaysian Idol 1 champ Jaclyn Victor.
Noryn is currently in the midst of collecting material for her second album.
If everything goes well, the album will be produced by renowned musicians and composers, Mac Chew and Jenny Chin.
The singer’s debut album, Alam Maya was released in 2006.
FRESH from clinching the Special Jury Award at the 21st Malaysian Film Festival in August, actor-and-director M. Subash looks set to create a history of sorts.
The filming of his second directorial, Syirik, was completed in a duration of four days!
“How much time you spend to shoot a film is not important. I’m fortunate as my filming went smoothly. I believe that if a director works according to the production plan, nothing is impossible,” said Subash, in a phone interview last week.
Filming took place in Hulu Langat, Selangor, in August.
Syirik is a thriller about a girl who is murdered and seeks her revenge via a camera. Her spirit possesses a “camera” which leads to a killing spree in a quiet town.
Syirik also sees Subash playing multiple characters including lead roles Lina and Kumar.
Others in the cast are Khatijah Tan, Sham Sunder and newcomers Zaid and Jeff Omar.
Produced by Genius Parade Sdn Bhd, the RM400,000 film is slated for release in March or April.
At the MFF21, Subash bagged the Special Jury trophy for his efforts in highlighting the plight of the disabled in his debut directorial, Pensil.
The film also received further acclaim for its compelling theme and was nominated in the coveted Best Film category.
Pensil made heads turn for being nominated in several categories including Best Original Story, Most Promising Actor and Actress, Most Promising Director and Best Poster.
New Straits Times