Creative arts practitioners urged to take up govt aid

 

Local creative industry and art practitioners should take up the assistance provided by the government to continue to their craft and produce creative products even through the challenges of Covid-19.

National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairperson Zakaria Abdul Hamid (above) said the aid would not only ensure the survival of industry players, but also the future of creative products in the country.

He said, as a drastic move to help the industry face the impact of Covid-19, the government had introduced the Creative Industry Immediate Economic Action Plan (Pelaksana) and the Malaysian Creative Industry Stimulus Package (Prisma).

“Pelaksana was launched in July last year to empower the creative industry due to the effects of Covid-19.

“The latest, Prisma was launched as a short-term initiative to ensure the viability and sustainability of creative industry practitioners in facing the pandemic,” he said when launching "The Puppet Master Trilogy" last night.

The ceremony was officiated by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and was also attended by Finas chief executive officer, Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri.

Zakaria said both initiatives were caring gestures of the government not only for art practitioners but also those working behind the scene.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Sanusi in his speech said the launching of the film was very significant with the state government’s efforts to mobilise the economy in various fields including filming, arts and culture, especially during the pandemic. 

“We hope this will be a reality that Kedah in the new era is in the forefront of efforts to stimulate arts and culture which are not against Islamic law and norms of our society," he said.

The film The Puppet Master Trilogy is inspired by the true story of the famous Tok Dalang Wayang Kulit in the state in the 70s and 80s, namely Mat Lebai Lateh or better known as Tok Khedheng who raised the cultural foundation of Kedah, with the Wayang Kulit Kedah and Manora Siam Kedah.

The film, which will start shooting on March 29 in several locations in the state, is directed by Imran Ismail and features a line-up of actors such as Wilma Muhammad and Wan Hanafi Su.

- Bernama