Malaysia's demoralised arts and culture industry needs urgent, dynamic solutions to keep afloat

A view of KLPac's main theatre space. For performing arts and theatre venues, they will have to remain closed until Phase 4 of the National Recover Plan with the possibility of recording (with no audience) only in Phase 3. Photo: KLPac

Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri is set to get right back to work following yesterday's announcement of her reappointment as the Tourism, Arts and Culture minister in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's Cabinet line-up. There is plenty to be done to rescue the hard-hit Malaysian arts and culture sector, which is under her ministry's purview.

The ongoing closure of performing arts spaces and the suspension of cultural events - which began in the Klang Valley on May 7 before the implementation of total nationwide lockdown on June 1 - has left the arts scene nationwide on the verge of a Covid-induced collapse.