Plans underway to help arts, creative industries weather the MCO

KL09_15052020_LAWATAN

PETALING JAYA: The government is firming up plans to unveil initiatives to assist the arts and creative sector in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

Its Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (pic) said in a recent statement that efforts were being taken to ensure the welfare of practitioners amid the conditional movement control order (MCO).

Saifuddin and his ministry officials met with representatives from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac), National Film Development Corporation (Finas), RTM's Broadcast Department, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd on Thursday (May 21) to discuss steps to be taken to help the sector, especially through small scale initiatives to help kickstart activities over the next six months.

Saifuddin said input from this discussion would be submitted to the Finance Ministry for consideration to be part of the Economic Revival Plan that was expected to be announced by the Prime Minister in the near future.

"I have asked every government agency involved in the meeting to list down various (types of) aid that could be rolled out over the next six months using existing allocations without the need to amend any regulatory aspects.

"The agencies also need to list down other aid that could be extended using existing allocations but which need further action in terms of approval from the Finance Ministry.

"I have also asked each agency to provide input on the need for additional funds from the Finance Ministry to enable aid to be rolled out.

"In relation to this, I welcome and appreciate the commitment from Motac, which has agreed to collaborate with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to spearhead efforts to help the creative industry resume operations," he said.

Saifuddin said he would ensure that more job opportunities and creative content could be produced through the Digital Content Fund managed by agencies under him such as Finas and MDEC.

Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said she met various stakeholders from the arts and creative industry over the past few weeks.

"Our discussions have been highly engaging, and my ministry is doing all it could to lend a hand to everyone in the ecosystem during this difficult period, not just for Malaysia, but the rest of the world," she told The Star.

"On our part, we remain committed to tackle the issue by adopting a whole-of-government approach, given that there are various agencies responsible to the creative industry, which are spread across several ministries."