A DJ's mission to elevate music industry through ethical DJing

KUALA LUMPUR - While in the West, DJs are respected for their skills, in Malaysia, the industry is still overshadowed by stereotypes of late-night, alcohol-fueled parties.

Chong Hoe Soon, commonly known as DJ Point among his peers, said it's time to change this perception.

"It is still seen as an industry filled with alcohol and late-night partying," he told Sinar Daily.

He said it's a professional industry which needs to be uplifted and respected.

"In Australia, universities have integrated DJ courses into their curricula, considering them as valid credits.

"The move aims to produce well-rounded multimedia students who are knowledgeable in mixing, music genres, theory with knowledge of music notes and equipment handling as part of their multimedia course," he said.

In Malaysia, he said some of the students are unable to pursue sound engineering or multimedia courses after failing to score five credits in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

Due to this, Point said DJ courses could serve as a bridge for students who want to enter the multimedia industry and other music and sound-related fields to earn credits.

It is also an option for youths who want to venture into the DJ industry.

He said in Malaysia, the profession needs to be regulated so that the nation produces 'ethical' DJs.

"At the moment, there are no standard rules and professional regulations governing the path to becoming a professional DJ in Malaysia, leading to a multitude of issues, including problematic disc jockeys, not being paid by organisers and poor-quality performance," he said.

Frustrated with these problems, Point said he created a comprehensive DJ course to produce well-rounded disc jockeys.

This course includes music mixing, equipment handling and useful techniques to be a well-rounded and qualified DJ who could compete in international competitions if they practises hard enough.

There are also calls from industry players like Pioneer to improve the quality of DJs in the country.

"They ask me why Malaysia does not have professional courses like those in the West to elevate the DJ industry.

"It would also help music producers produce music, as they would be equipped with the necessary techniques," Point said, who has been in the industry for 18 years.

He has taken it upon himself to upgrade the profession by teaching a three to four-month course at Help University.

This course delves into the history of various music genres, the role of DJs and other techniques to produce top-notch DJs in the country.