KUALA LUMPUR (BERNAMA) – Malaysian film producers, directors and actors are capable of producing films of international standard, Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the local creative industry was not a small industry as Malaysia was listed as the 19th biggest market for films produced locally according to United States international markets.
“If one film (like Mat Kilau) alone could generate almost MYR100 million in revenue, what about the tens of films that will be produced and if they are of good standards and value, they will boost our economy and film industry,” he said during his speech at the close of the Ekspresi@Finas programme yesterday, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairman, Senator Datuk Seri Zurainah Musa, Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin were also present.
Annuar said since Ismail Sabri took over the country’s administration, the political situation had stablised, the COVID-19 threat was managed and the economy had grown and developed, and was acknowledged by various international bodies.
He said the prime minister had re-established ties with related countries and the pinnacle of Ismail Sabri’s success was when he presented a comprehensive budget catered for all Malaysians.
“When he detected a hint of possible instability (within the government), the prime minister returned the mandate to the people and dissolved the Parliament.
“This means moving forward, the prime minister has a great obligation to fulfil. Take this two-week period as a temporary respite, the country needs to continue to be saved, a new creative industry needs to be injected with a breath of fresh air,” he added.
Annuar said if the Budget 2023 is tabled once again under Ismail Sabri’s leadership, he was convinced there would be more good news for the creative industry.
