Kuala lumpur: The National Creative Industry Policy (DIKN) is set to undergo a review to ensure its benefits are equitably shared among creative professionals and communities nationwide, as announced by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. This initiative aims to bolster policies for a more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful creative industry.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi emphasized that creative industry agencies have been directed to allocate a portion of funds specifically for first-time applicants who meet the established criteria. This strategy is intended to establish a fairer distribution of resources, providing opportunities for new entrants into the creative field. Fahmi made these remarks in response to a question raised by Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) concerning allegations of inequitable allocation of creative funds during a recent Dewan Rakyat session.
Fahmi outlined that funds will be distributed through a tiered evaluation process, incorporating checks and balances, performance-based allocations, and a cooling-off period for previous recipients to avoid overlap. Regarding the creative industry's role within the national economy, Fahmi noted that the 2024 Cultural and Creative Satellite Account, published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), indicated the sector contributed 6.8% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a growth rate of 7.1% in 2024.
The export value of cultural and creative products increased from RM56 billion in 2023 to RM63 billion in 2024, underscoring the sector's significance as a key economic driver, aligned with its aim to contribute between seven to 10% to the GDP. The industry has also generated over 763,000 jobs across various sectors including audio-visual, music, performing arts, books and print media, visual arts and crafts, cultural heritage, and cultural education, Fahmi added.
Fahmi also commented on the success of "Papazola The Movie," highlighting it as evidence of the potential for locally produced cultural and creative intellectual property to achieve national recognition and international commercialization. The animated film by Monsta Studio has reached RM61.35 million in earnings as of January 20, making it the highest-grossing local animated film in history. It has surpassed "Ejen Ali The Movie 2" and is scheduled for release in Indonesian cinemas next week. Fahmi hopes this success will inspire local creators to produce culturally significant and innovative works capable of competing on both national and international stages.