Reopening of creative industry will bring relief to over 1mil workers

 

Annuar Musa said the creative sector was among the most affected because of movement restrictions since March 2020.

KUALA LUMPUR: The reopening of eight creative industry sectors from tomorrow is much needed and will bring relief to over one million artistes and workers, communications and multimedia minister Annuar Musa said today.

He said the easing of restrictions was necessary for the industry as the creative sector was among the most affected when all activities were ceased during the movement control order (MCO) last year. Besides that, the public needed healthy entertainment to avoid feeling depressed.

“It was one of the sectors that was the earliest to close and the last to reopen. So, with this announcement, it is hoped that the entertainment sector will be able to breathe again and all stakeholders involved will be able to regenerate the creative sector economy under the new norm.

“Although there are limitations as SOPs must be adhered to, this should not be a constraint for the sector to advance further in a more creative way,” he said in a statement today.

He said during the pandemic, those in the creative sector who mostly worked on a contract or freelance basis were very much affected as they had no fixed income due to the nature of the job and as such many had to depend on donations and alms for survival.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced yesterday the relaxation of SOPs for states under Phase 1 of the national recovery plan for the creative industry, subject to the conditions approved by the National Security Council (MKN).

In this regard, Annuar said the SOP relaxation was a true reflection of the government’s concern to ensure the survival and sustainability of the people in accordance with new norms, especially in the Klang Valley where over 80% of the adult population have been fully vaccinated.

“The achievement enabled the creative industry sector to reopen and this will allow those involved in the industry to return to work,” he said while hoping that the people would make full use of the opportunity.

He said the government had always been committed to the development and sustainability of the creative industry sector through the implementation of several initiatives, such as the Creative Industry Immediate Economic Action Plan (Pelaksana), the Malaysian Creative Industry Stimulus Package (Prisma) and the People’s Protection and Economic Recovery Package (Pemulih) as direct fiscal injections aimed to provide comprehensive assistance, following the reopening of the sectors in Phase 1 of the national recovery plan.

He also reminded creative industry players to continue to comply with all guidelines and SOPs set by MKN. - FMT