SIBU: The state Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry has admitted it was helpless when it came to clamping down on pirating of Iban songs.

Its director Wan Ahmad Uzir told reporters here yesterday that the ministry could not take any appropriate action as the copyright owners, usually the recording companies, were not cooperative in tackling the problem.

“We have asked them to come and certify that the pirated disc we seized were copies of the original versions but often they just refused to do so.

“What can we do if (the copyright owners) they themselves have this kind of lackadaisical attitude,” he said.

According to Wan Ahmad, his enforcement officers could launch an operation to clamp down on pirated discs at any time, but at the end of the day, they could not take any action because the (copyright) owners refused to give their cooperation in certifying that the discs were pirated.

“Though we know that the discs are pirated copies we cannot simply take any action if the owners are not cooperating with us.

“Even if we file the case in court, we’ll not be able to proceed either as the owners do not want to certify the discs,” he added.

The original version of Iban music disc is priced at RM19.90 each while the pirated ones could fetch as low at RM5 per disc.

On the supply of goods for the coming Gawai celebration, Wan Ahmad said his office had started collecting the price list from the different areas in the state.

“The price lists for the different areas differ.

“Normally before the festive season, we will meet up with the suppliers to ensure that the supply is sufficient,” he added.

On the cooking oil supply, he said there was no report of shortage so far.

“The problem in Sarawak is that people stick to just one brand which at times may run low in supply. This is also the same case with flour,’” he added.

• IHH Healthcare earnings up 3.6% to RM127.27m
• Petronas Dagangan Q1 earnings down 3.7% to RM237m
• Japan's tumble drags key regional, European markets lower (Update)
• KUB in JV with Singapore's Hiap Seng for Petronas project
• TDM to plant 5,000ha of new trees every year in Kalimantan
• KLCI falls to low of 1,765, rattled by Japan, HK
• Japan stocks crash on volatile bonds, weak China data; Nikkei ends down 7.3%
• MISC posts RM300m net profit in Q1, sees challenging year ahead (Update)
• KL Kepong slips to low of RM21.36 as quarterly profit drops
• Maybank's Q1 earnings up 11.8% to RM1.506b (Update)
• Lafarge Cement positive on markets, mulls expanding capacity
• Dayang Enterprise awards RM705m contract to Perdana Petroleum
• KLCI pauses, Japan, Hong Kong key indices slide (Update)
• ECM Libra plans to exit PN17 by year-end
• China HSBC flash PMI hits 7-mth low, fans growth fears

• Ranger, militant killed in Thai south shootout
• Japan man, 80, scales Everest, sets record
• Philippines vows to defend territory against China
• S. Korean girl killed by suicide jumper
• Ecuador warns satellite could hit rocket remains
• Short-story writer Davis wins Booker International Prize
• Two babies among US tornado victims
• Anti-Islamist protests flare following London attack
• 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack (Updated)

• Rugby: Former All Black coach Henry on misconduct charge
• Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
• Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
• Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
• Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
• Results worldwide
• Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
• Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
• Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
• Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
• National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
• Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
• Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
• Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
• Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement

• Please wait.

• Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
• Colleges challenge new conditions set by registrar
• Tian Chua, Haris Ibrahim, Tamrin Ghafar to spend the night in lockup (Update)
• Transport Ministry reveals new FT registration plate to start with W1A
• What comes after WYY?
• In China, food scares put Mao's self-sufficiency goal at risk
• Verdict ends three years of restlessness for family, says Sosilawati's daughter
• All four accused guilty in murder of Sosilawati Lawiya and three others (Update)
• Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers
• Astro and Maxis to deliver new-age TV service in Klang Valley