Kuala Lumpur: The Communications Ministry has called on organisers of concerts and large-scale, high-impact events to register for the newly launched Concert and Event in Malaysia Incentives (CEMI) initiative to benefit from financial rebates. Teo Nie Ching, the deputy minister, highlighted that the initiative supports both international and local artists involved in significant programmes within Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative has an annual allocation of RM10 million, with applications open from May 15 to July 10. The programme is managed by MyCreative Ventures (MyCV) with support from the Communications Ministry. It targets concerts and high-impact events with capacities exceeding 15,000 spectators, involving both local and international artists. The government introduced this initiative to enhance the local arts industry.

Teo outlined key conditions for organisers to qualify for the incentive, including the need to demonstrate experience in organising large-scale events for 15,000 people within three years from the application date. For international artists, organisers must allocate at least 20 per cent of the total Qualifying Malaysian Concert and Event Spend (QMCES) and involve at least 30 per cent Malaysians to qualify for a 30 per cent rebate of the actual QMCES expenditure or a maximum of RM1.5 million. For local artists, organisers must spend 70 per cent of the total QMCES in Malaysia to qualify for the same rebate or a maximum of RM1 million.

In another update, Teo, who also serves as the Kulai Member of Parliament, reported the removal of 107,687 fraudulent contents or scams by platform providers at the request of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from January to April 15. The most frequently removed content involved online gambling and scams, with 57,669 related to gambling and 30,427 to scams.

Teo advised the public to exercise caution and avoid falling prey to content or advertisements promising high returns in a short period, to prevent becoming victims of fraud.