FINAS’ Ziarah Seni MADANI Benefits 233 Arts Practitioners Since 2023 - Teo

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The Ziarah Seni MADANI programme, by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), has benefited 233 arts practitioners through contributions totalling RM180,756, since its introduction in 2023.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said that, from Jan 1 to Oct 25 this year, a total of 59 recipients had received assistance under the programme, amounting to RM40,856.

“The programme aims to provide support to creative industry practitioners facing hardships, health problems or frailty, as well as those who have passed away, while also looking after the welfare of veteran artistes in need of assistance.

“This assistance reflects FINAS’ continued efforts to look after the welfare of industry practitioners in need, while also appreciating their contributions,” she said when replying to a question from Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam) during the Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Kalam had proposed that the government establish a dedicated care centre for veteran arts practitioners facing homelessness, as a way of appreciating their contributions to the development of the creative industry.

Teo said that various forms of assistance had been made available through government initiatives and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Through FINAS, a total of 55 veteran arts practitioners were allocated People’s Housing Programme (PPR) units under the Perumahan Komuniti Seni Prihatin initiative, from 2019 to 2020.

“The same project at the ministry and local government levels also involved industry associations, including the Malaysian Artistes’ Association, the Malaysian Film Workers Association and Malaysian Artistes’ Association (Karyawan),” she said.

In addition, she said that the government provided one-off financial assistance, through Tabung Kebajikan Penggiat Seni (Arts Practitioners’ Welfare Fund), which had received 42 applications involving assistance totalling RM173,000, as of September.

On the proposal to establish the Rumah Jagaan Seni Warisan Veteran Malaysia, she said that the matter required further consideration with the relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and FINAS, based on their respective jurisdictions and expertise.

“The proposal requires comprehensive consideration, as it involves not only the provision of residential facilities, but also healthcare, social welfare, resident eligibility criteria, management and operational models, funding sources, and long-term sustainability,” she said.

-- BERNAMA