13MP: Fahmi hopes Finas’ plans for creative industry in Sabah, Sarawak will become reality

KOTA KINABALU (Sept 14): Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil hopes the specific plans focusing on creative content creators in Sabah and Sarawak as proposed by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will become a reality.

He said the film and music industries in Sabah and Sarawak are very diverse and require the relevant parties to provide specialisation, including management.

“I also hope their work (that of creative content creators from Sabah and Sarawak) can be enjoyed not only in the Peninsula but also all over the world. We have a lot of good content coming from Sabah and Sarawak. We must enjoy all this content.

“Malaysia will be the host for Asean next year. There is an opportunity for us to highlight more creative content, including from Sabah and Sarawak,” he told reporters after a meet-and-greet session with creative industry professionals from Sabah and Sarawak at the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) Sabah campus here today.

Some 200 creative talents from Sabah and Sarawak participated in the session, which lasted over an hour. During the event, they discussed various perspectives, challenges and opportunities to drive growth in the film and music industries across both states.

Fahmi said the ministry would also ask Finas to review the policy and implementation of three basic matters covering the financial aspect; pre-production including producing high-quality scripts; and marketing creative content from Sabah and Sarawak.

He said marketing was crucial to ensure every creative content produced could be marketed.

“If we do not market it effectively, then that is a wasted opportunity. So, in general, I ask that Finas reviews these three matters not only in terms of policy but also in implementation,” he said. – Bernama