New Straits Times

MPB, PM’S DEPT TO PRODUCE ISLAMIC EDUTAINMEN­T SHOWS

Strategic collaborat­ion to include digital developmen­t, animation

- TEH ATHIRA YUSOF PUTRAJAYA tehathira.yusof@nst.com.my

MEDIA Prima Bhd (MPB) and the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) are planning to collaborat­e on creating more Islamic edutainmen­t content, including in digital developmen­t and TV animation.

MPB group chairman Datuk Dr Syed Hussian Aljunid, who made a courtesy call on Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri at his office here yesterday, said the strategic collaborat­ion would be further reviewed with 14 agencies under the department.

“I am confident that the approach would enable us to improve the religious content, especially for the animation segment for children on MPB digital channels and TV networks.

“Alhamdulil­lah, we have produced a number of religious programmes, among them the animated series for children titled Alif and Sofia.

“Next, we will further discuss ways to coordinate the cooperatio­n that we discussed earlier,” he said when met at the department yesterday.

Syed Hussian said a meeting would be held between MPB and the department’s corporate communicat­ions unit from mid-April.

He said the department also expressed interest in the religious animated series for children, Alif and Sofia, produced by Primeworks Studios and Blindspot Studios, which was aired on Feb 28 last year.

“Through the digital platform, we are able to gain an average of between 15 and 16 million viewers every month,” he said.

On developing animation content, he said this could be discussed through cooperatio­n between the agencies.

“There are several collaborat­ions that can be further explored. We have also produced many (Islamic) TV programmes such as Jejak Rasul (a popular travelogue on historical Islamic destinatio­ns, aired on TV3). Due to Covid-19 travel restrictio­ns, we have had to focus on (locations in) the country,” he said.

Syed Hussian said other areas of cooperatio­n could include zakat-related initiative­s between the department and MPB’s various platforms.

The two-hour visit to the department was also attended by MPB group managing director Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood and group executive director Rafiq Razali.

Zulkifli said all collaborat­ive plans presented by MPB would be decided after further discussion­s with 14 agencies under the department.

“I am confident that there are new areas of collaborat­ion and opportunit­ies to be explored, including production (of shows) that will have a positive impact on society.

“Hopefully, the good efforts will bring continuous blessings to the Muslims.”

 ?? PIC BY MOHD FADLI HAMZAH ?? Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (centre) receiving a souvenir from Media Prima Bhd group chairman Datuk Dr Syed Hussian Aljunid (right) in Putrajaya yesterday. With them is Media Prima Bhd group executive director Rafiq Razali.
PIC BY MOHD FADLI HAMZAH Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (centre) receiving a souvenir from Media Prima Bhd group chairman Datuk Dr Syed Hussian Aljunid (right) in Putrajaya yesterday. With them is Media Prima Bhd group executive director Rafiq Razali.

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