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Marjinal, one of Indonesia's most famous punk rock bands, is on tour at Soundmaker Studio in Penang, Malaysia. (Photo by Cole Yew)
Arts

Indonesia's 'dangerous' moves on music strike discord

Performers say Jakarta's proposed regulatory law threatens industry's existence

MARCO FERRARESE, Contributing Writer | Indonesia

JAKARTA -- In the Indonesian capital there are people toting guitars, singing and playing music on almost every street corner. The archipelago has a strong popular music history, and has nurtured talented groups in all sorts of genres, from hip-hop to heavy metal, and from punk rock to jazz.

But many musicians fear that their art is now under threat -- a draft bill designed to control the industry in this Muslim-majority country may end up strangling it.

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