Welfare of Musicians, Songwriters Still Below Expectation: Bekraf Chief

Chairman of Bekraf after meeting with President Jokowi to report National Music Day Event in Ambon, at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (22/3). (Photo: Public Relations/Jay)

Chairman of the Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy (Bekraf) Triawan Munaf along with national musicians welcomed the idea of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo regarding the need to create the Indonesian Music Grand Strategy, aimed at creating a well-planned planning for the country’s music industry.

He added that the strategy must not be implemented too ambitiously and it must be realized gradually, one by one from year to year, from 1 year to 2 years, or 3 years to 5 years.

“So that there will be concrete steps for the sake of our national music which is unfortunately still very worrying and  the welfare of our musicians and songwriters is still below from expectation,” Triawan said together with national musicians after reporting the National Music Day Event held in Ambon to President Jokowi, at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (22/3).

Triawan added that Indonesian musicians and songwriters have not enjoyed their rights and copyright violations still have not been dealt with properly. “This is what we will have to do in the future,” Triawan said.

On that occasion, Triawan Munaf also explained that there are musicians who still care about the issue and invited all his colleagues to have discussions and think about Indonesian music in the future.

“So the National Music Day is not just a ceremonial event, or only a gathering with President Jokowi and having small talks, but more than that, we always have to work hard as the President said,” said Triawan talking about the commemoration of the National Music Day in Ambon few weeks ago. (DNS/JAY/ES)(STU/EP/Naster)