Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announces a review of the National Creative Industry Policy to ensure fairer fund distribution and highlights the sector’s 6.8% GDP contribution.
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Creative Industry Policy (DIKN) will be reviewed to ensure its benefits are shared more fairly and widely.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the move aims to create a more inclusive, sustainable and high-impact creative sector.
He has instructed creative industry agencies to reserve a portion of funds for eligible first-time applicants.
“This will serve as an important benchmark for fairer fund distribution,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) on claims of unfair creative fund allocation.
Fahmi said funds will be distributed through tiered evaluations with checks and balances.
The system will include performance-based allocations and a cooling-off period for past recipients to prevent overlap.
Official data shows the creative sector contributed 6.8% to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product in 2024.
This marked a 7.1% growth for the sector, according to the 2024 Cultural and Creative Satellite Account.
Exports of cultural and creative products rose from RM56 billion in 2023 to RM63 billion in 2024.
The industry has also created over 763,000 jobs across various sub-sectors.
Fahmi cited the success of ‘Papazola The Movie’ as proof local intellectual property can compete internationally.
The animated film by Monsta Studio has grossed RM61.35 million as of Jan 20.
This makes it the highest-grossing local animated film in history, surpassing ‘Ejen Ali The Movie 2’.
It is set to screen in Indonesian cinemas next week.
Fahmi said this success should encourage local creators to develop culturally rooted works.
