Culture and heritage not left out in Budget 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: Culture and heritage is very much present in Budget 2024, with Kuala Lumpur as the focal point.

In his speech, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Think City will receive an allocation of RM20mil.

“With the allocation, Think City will further develop downtown KL as a creative and cultural district, focusing on flagship projects around Masjid Jamek and its surrounding areas,” said Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed.

“This will also enable us to deepen partnerships with local communities to collectively preserve, innovate and activate the historic city centre.”

Additionally, the entertainment tax in the Federal Territories, which was previously 25%, will be reduced. Local artistes and performers will receive a full tax exemption, while for international arts events and foreign performers, it will be lowered to 10%.

The entertainment tax for theme parks, family recreational centres, indoor game centres and simulators will also be reduced to 5%.

Comedian Prakash Daniel is glad that he can perform in more venues now, especially in Kuala Lumpur’s club scene, where he can organise shows with other smaller comedy and open mic groups.

Ang Yue May, marketing communications general manager of Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac), said although there is RM70mil for local talent, performances and artistes, what is missing from the conversation is local arts spaces and non-profit organisations like KLPac that are the hub of performing arts in need of maintenance and repair, just like tourist attraction sites that are allocated RM20mil and RM80mil for heritage sites.

“Producing shows is one thing that we do, but running an arts centre is another. Even if we get grants for producing shows, it does not help the cost of running KLPac. We hope more dialogue and consideration will be taken to ensure a more equal distribution of funds for different kinds of players,” she said.