Petaling Jaya: Malaysia’s creative industry received a fresh boost with the launch of Idea Live Arena, which is expected to serve as a catalyst for regional entertainment, said National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib Azmir. Azmir stated that the Idea Live Arena, located at 3 Damansara shopping mall with a capacity for up to 7,000 guests, would enhance Malaysia’s ability to host large-scale events and align with the nation’s aspirations to establish itself as a regional hub for the entertainment and creative industries.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azmir expressed enthusiasm about the modern venue’s emergence in Petaling Jaya, a culturally rich city in Malaysia. He highlighted that the arena is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, positioning it as a potential venue for international-scale concerts and exhibitions.

The Idea Live Arena was developed by Superstar Arena Holdings Sdn Bhd with a significant investment of RM40 million, which included structural upgrades, renovations, and the installation of world-class audio, lighting, and visual systems. Azmir noted that the venue’s launch coincides with the Ministry of Communications’ new Concert and Event in Malaysia Incentives (CEMI) programme, which aims to attract more international events to the country while supporting local event organization.

Azmir emphasized the potential economic benefits, stating that the CEMI incentive could encourage more organizers to bring international concerts and entertainment events to Malaysia, thereby bolstering the economy through the tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. He also mentioned that the Idea Live Arena is already nearly fully booked until the end of the year, indicating strong demand for physical concerts and live events.

The development aligns with Finas’ efforts to encourage the public to return to cinemas and live entertainment spaces following the prolonged restrictions due to the pandemic.