Local creative industry generates high income for nation — Jailani

THE local creative industry has generated an income of RM556 million from 1972 to 2014, Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.

Communication and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said RM118 million was allocated to the National Creative Industry Fund ( DIKN) to develop the local creative industry under the 10th Malaysia Plan, so it could vie and become more competitive at the international level.

He said via DIKN, numerous music programmes had been implemented, including the production of ethnic contemporary music videos and music albums.

“This project involved recording companies and artistes who have made applications to take part.

Ten songs must be composed by local musicians and must have ethnic contemporary characteristics with traditional elements.

“For the record, RM2.78 million in grants were channelled for the project,” he said when replying to Ahmad Lai Bujang ( BNSibuti) who wanted to know the government’s programmes to help arts activists and develop the Iban music creative industry in Sarawak.

Jailani said the ministry also cooperated with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission ( MCMC) to spur the local creative content output activities.

He said, as of Dec 31, RM67.1 million of MCMC’s fund of RM100 million had been approved for the implementations of 128 projects.

To date, 55 creative contents projects conprising the productions of animations, documentaries, mobile applications, online games and e- books had been completed, he said.

He said a programme to market local creative contents at the international markets had also generated RM417.9 million from 2011 to 2014.

“Of the total, RM145 million was recorded for 2014 with the marketing of International Markets of Communication Programmes contributing the highest revenue,” he added. — Bernama