Communications Ministry Announces Incentives To Ensure Welfare, Sustainability Of Creative Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- The Communications Ministry announced several incentives as government initiatives and commitments in an effort to ensure the welfare of professionals and the sustainability of the country's creative industry.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said among the initiatives was the collaboration between the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and the Malaysian Department of Insolvency to help reduce the financial burden and improve the well-being of industry players.

He said for the sustainability of the creative industry, the ministry also launched the RM10 million Citra Fund which focuses on the development of content based on national identity involving feature films, documentaries and short films.

“The message we want to convey is that the government will continue to assist artists, professionals and all workers involved in the creative and film industry.

“Government assistance is not only limited to providing funds or allocations for developing the country’s film industry but also covers legal aspects for those facing bankruptcy problems,” he told reporters after the 2026 Seniman Symposium, here today.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah and FINAS chairman Datuk Hans Isaac.

Fahmi is confident that the collaboration between FINAS and the Insolvency Department which was signed today can help artists, professionals and those involved in the creative industry, who are facing bankruptcy cases, to get back on their feet and continue to work.

“I hope that through this collaboration, artists and those involved in the field will benefit.

“I welcome the commitment from Datuk Seri Azalina to mobilise the Legal Aid Department to assist in terms of mediation to assist those involved in the creative industry free of charge if there are disputes or contract issues worth less than RM250,000,” he said.

Fahmi said that in addition, the government has also allocated RM300 million in funds through FINAS under the Filming Incentive in Malaysia (FIMI) for a period of five years to attract more international productions to film in this country.

He said the initiative could also increase job opportunities for local artists, thus ensuring the sustainability of the country's creative industry.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said FINAS had been asked to examine the legal and copyright aspects to protect the rights of artists and filmmakers in facing the challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

He said the ability of AI to produce videos with voices and body movements similar to real actors is a challenge for artists who rely heavily on these factors in their work.

"For artists, their faces and voices are their most important assets. So I ask FINAS to look into these aspects to ensure that their rights are protected in this AI era," he said.

-- BERNAMA