KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic) aims to function as a practical enabler of the creative economy and innovation agenda, fully aligned with the mandate of the state Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry this new year.
Its newly appointed chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Lan Muslim noted that while Scenic has been actively supporting Sabah’s creative economy since 2020, the ecosystem remains at an early stage compared to more mature creative economies.
This presents strong opportunities for structured growth, said the former state director at Bumiputra Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) Sabah and Labuan.
He highlighted the first Creative Economy Summit in Sabah, held in April earlier last year, as a key milestone by bringing together industry players, government agencies and educational institutions to strengthen collaboration and showcase Sabah’s creative potential.
“By organising the ecosystem properly from the outset, creativity and innovation can translate into real economic participation involving a wider audience,” Mohd Lan said.
Following the conclusion of Scenic’s Five-Year Plan (2020–2025), Mohd Lan said the organisation will now focus on sharpening execution and delivery on the ground, while shaping a longer-term strategic direction for the next decade.
Priority will be given to initiatives that generate work opportunities, income and enterprise development, he said.
At the national level, Malaysia’s creative industry is increasingly industry-led and market-driven, with greater emphasis on Intellectual Property (IP) ownership, and enterprise growth, said Mohd Lan.
He said Scenic will continue to be a platform connecting creative industry players, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, and partners at the state, federal and international levels.
Particular attention will be given to youth, early-career creatives, freelancers, small operators and communities outside urban centres, he added.
