JAKARTA: Malaysia has called for intellectual property to be recognised as a bankable asset, as well as clear frameworks to govern the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), as part of its proposals to strengthen the global creative economy.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil outlined three proposals in his intervention at the Ministerial Meeting of the Fifth World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) in Indonesia on Thursday (Oct 22).
"We recommend three things to this meeting: First, that intellectual property be recognised as a bankable asset. Second, that creative skills be developed alongside digital skills. Third, that clear frameworks govern the responsible use of AI in creative work, keeping the human creator at the centre,” he said.
Fahmi also identified three areas for closer international cooperation, beginning with co-productions that could help grow the creative economy by attracting investment, developing local talent and bringing creative content to wider international markets.
The second involves the mobility and exchange of creative talent through joint training, residencies and exchanges, allowing professionals to learn from one another, build networks and develop ideas for lasting collaborations.
"Third, sharing data and measurement methods so that the creative economy is properly counted in our national accounts. Clearer understanding of its contribution to jobs, income and growth will help us design better policies and make a stronger case for investment in the sector,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fahmi noted that creators often provided production services while ownership of intellectual property and its commercial value remained elsewhere.
"Creative enterprises, whose main assets are intangible, still struggle to access financing, and generative AI raises pressing questions on copyright, fair remuneration and cultural authenticity,” he said.
Sharing Malaysia's approach, Fahmi said the country was moving up the value chain from producing content to owning and commercialising intellectual property.
The Communications Ministry and its agencies had also introduced co-production funds and matching grants, strengthened talent development and were developing a National Film Policy and a National Music Policy.
Under the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), the orange economy has been identified as a new source of growth, with Malaysia's cultural and creative industries contributing 6.8 per cent to gross domestic product in 2024, generating RM63bil in exports and supporting more than 760,000 jobs.
"To match this ambition with strong governance, Malaysia has just established the Orange Economy Council. It will be the apex body steering our creative ecosystem, from film and music to animation, games and esports.
"It will also advise the government on planning, implementing and monitoring the sector, with industry at the table and my Ministry serving in its secretariat,” Fahmi said.
Fahmi also commended Indonesia for initiating WCCE in Bali in 2018 and sustaining the platform for governments, international organisations and creators to shape the future of the creative economy.
He said Malaysia, participating in the ministerial meeting for the first time, welcomed the initiative and looked forward to contributing actively to the WCCE process.
"Natural resources will one day run out. Creativity never will. As a new participant in this process, Malaysia look forward to learning from the experiences shared at this meeting and exploring opportunities for cooperation with Indonesia and other participating countries,” he said. – Bernama
