March 9 declared National Music day

March 9 declared National Music day

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri declared March 9
National Music Day during a simple ceremony at the State Palace
on Monday.

During the ceremony, attended by dozens of singers,
songwriters and musicians from different music genres, Megawati
reminded them of the importance of registering their compositions
with the relevant institutions to protect their intellectual
property rights.

"Sometimes, songwriters just create song after song, but
forget to register their composition. When somebody else claims
ownership over their work, they cannot do anything," the
President said.

Megawati was asked to sing a song in front of the participants
by respected and senior actresses Titik Puspa and Vina
Panduwinata.

The President sang an old song titled "Di Wajahmu Kulihat
Bulan" (I Saw the Moon in Your Face), written by Mochtar Embut.

"It is prohibited by presidential protocol for me to sing in
public," Megawati said before singing the song.-- JP