Creative arts practitioners receive support under Ziarah Seni Madani initiative

KUCHING: Two behind-the-scenes practitioners from the creative arts sector have received assistance as part of the Ziarah Seni Madani initiative by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas).

Officiated by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, the recipients are Hazzuki Hazmi, who is suffering from stage four stomach cancer, and Talaha@Taha Yan, who is battling stage four stroke. Both are behind-the-scenes crew members.

Finas deputy director-general (management) Datin Rozita Waty Ridzuan explained that the programme aims to protect the welfare of creative industry workers across Malaysia.

“Through the Professional Film Workers Association of Malaysia (Profima) and the Artistes Association of Malaysia (Seniman), we will continue to support these individuals and increase the number of contributors among creative workers.

“The federal government provides a subsidy worth RM23.30 per year, and we want to maximise these benefits through Perkeso,” she said.

Rozita made these comments after attending the handover ceremony at the Pullman Hotel on Thursday (Aug 8).

Hazzuki expressed his gratitude towards Fahmi, Finas, and Perkeso for the support he received.

“I sincerely thank everyone for their assistance during my illness and for helping me continue with my life,” he said.

Hazzuki has been granted a pension through the Invalidity Pension Scheme from Perkeso, due to his voluntary contributions while actively involved as a behind-the-scenes creative arts practitioner. He also received a Benefit Payment voucher for health-related items.

Meanwhile, Talaha received Perkeso’s Invalidity Assistance and essential goods donated by Fahmi.

Finas, through Perkeso, encourages arts practitioners to contribute to Perkeso. This initiative is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Communications Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) to ensure the welfare of arts practitioners and encourage timely registration of contributions through Perkeso’s corporate agents, Seniman and Profima.

As part of this initiative, Finas is sponsoring 4,500 arts practitioners from Peninsular Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak, to contribute to Perkeso for one year in 2024.