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