Jakarta. Indonesian music royalty agency Wami has fired back after pop legend Ari Lasso publicly complained about his latest payout -- just Rp 765,000, or around $47.

In a statement posted on social media Thursday, Wami insisted the number was correct and calculated fairly.

“The calculation and payment were done properly, based on accurate data, and the rightful recipient received the funds. There’s no error in the amount paid to Mr. Ari Lasso,” the group said.

Wami also clarified that the payment only covered royalties for the month of July -- not the whole year.

That said, the group admitted to messing up in their email correspondence with Ari, blaming it on a typo in the address.

“We’ve clarified the matter with Mr. Ari Lasso and sent him an official letter. We’ve learned from this mistake and are improving our email system,” they wrote.

Ari, whose career has spanned decades and is packed with chart-topping hits, said he could accept the explanation -- but maintained his email has never changed. More importantly, he still doesn’t understand why the payout was so low.

“We need to talk to Wami and find out why -- from what should be potential royalties in the tens of millions -- we only got Rp 760,000,” Ari said.

For many fans, Ari Lasso is more than just another name in Indonesia’s music scene -- he’s the voice behind some of the country’s most enduring ballads. One of his biggest hits, Hampa, released in 2003, remains a go-to heartbreak anthem. Known for its haunting melody and soul-baring lyrics, the song cemented Ari’s reputation as one of Indonesia’s most emotive and distinctive vocalists, with a career that continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

The dispute has stirred up more debate about music royalties, especially since Wami recently announced that wedding organizers must pay fees for any live or recorded songs played during the celebration. The fee is set at 2 percent of total music production costs, covering things like sound system rentals, musical instruments, and performer fees.

Wami’s head of corporate communications, Robert Mulyarahardja, defended the rule, saying it’s about respecting creators’ rights:

“When music is used in a public space, the songwriter’s rights must be paid. That’s the principle,” he said.

The policy has caused some restaurants, cafés, and shops to stop playing Indonesian music entirely, hoping to dodge fees. The issue gained attention after Mie Gacoan -- a wildly popular noodle chain -- paid Rp 2.2 billion ($135,000) to settle a three-year royalty dispute.

The government has been pushing for stricter compliance with a 2021 regulation requiring businesses to pay royalties for commercial music use. While the law has been around for four years, enforcement has only gotten serious recently.

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