The Finas (Amendment) Bill 2025 proposes higher fines up to RM250,000 and longer jail terms, plus new corporate authority and prosecution rules.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas) (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching presented the bill to expand the corporation’s powers.
She confirmed the second reading will occur during the current parliamentary session.
The bill proposes amendments to the Finas Act 1981 to significantly increase penalties for offences under Section 15.
Maximum imprisonment terms would rise from five years to ten years.
Fines would increase from RM25,000 to RM250,000.
Section 25 penalties would also increase from RM50,000 to RM250,000.
Imprisonment terms under Section 25 would rise from two years to five years.
The bill amends Section 26H to require written consent from a public prosecutor for prosecutions.
A new Section 20A would grant Finas authority to establish companies under the Companies Act 2016.
This would enable participation in planned corporate activities.
Two new sections, 29A and 29B, would be inserted into the principal Act.
Section 29A creates an offence for providing untrue or misleading documents under the Act.
Section 29B empowers Finas to issue guidelines for better implementation of Act 244.
The bill also amends Section 34 to expand Finas’ powers to formulate regulations.
