Ministry: Stop Dayak music piracy by cutting demand for bootlegs

SIBU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism ( KPDNKK) is taking stern action to weed out copyright infringement, including the piracy of Dayak music.

However, KPDNKK Sibu branch chief Kasim Mana said that they needed the cooperation of the respective copyright owners to facilitate enforcement.

“We have acted on one case under the Trade Description Act 2011 involving Dayak music thus far this year,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Kasim was asked about the number of cases on the piracy of Dayak music, which they had acted on, following Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Sibu chairman Chambai Lindong’s recent statement that copyright infringement had been cited as the main impediment to the growth of the Dayak music industry.

Speaking at the launch of the Gawai Dayak Album 2017 entitled ‘Malas Uti’ at Sibu Lake Garden recently, Chambai had said it was ‘ killing’ the Dayak music industry.

On this, Kasim said if there was a demand for pirated music, this would give rise to supply.

There had been accusations against them of not daring to act against premises peddling pirated discs, but if the public was steadfast in buying only original products, then there would be no demand and hence no selling of pirated discs, he explained.

Meanwhile, Chambai had emphasised the slogan ‘ Purchase the Original’, calling on the Dayak community to refrain from buying pirated music discs.

The public are also urged to call 084- 329202 or 335622 if they notice any hike in the price of essential items or unhealthy business practices.