KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) — The Communications and Multimedia Ministry (K-KOMM) will hold discussions with several ministries to find ways to reduce the burden of street performers, or buskers, including matters concerning the issue of royalty payments.

Its deputy minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the discussions will also involve the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

“The pressing issue among buskers now is site rental, license and royalty which they have to bear and we know the buskers are performing without charge.

“Some of the local authorities impose quite high rental charges. If possible we want to discuss this so that it can be given free or charged a minimum fee,” he said.

He told reporters this after a gathering with members of the Friends of Malaysian Street Performers Association here today.

On royalty payments, Zahidi said plans are in the pipeline to establish a music corporation that will look into reducing the burden of street musicians.

“Besides that, through MyCreative Ventures, we also want to see how we can organise our own shows aimed at giving buskers a platform to perform,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency