KUALA LUMPUR – The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) is moving to update its governing legislation to remain relevant amid the rise of streaming platforms, mobile-first content, and evolving production practices.
At a town hall session today, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said proposed amendments to the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia Act 1981 (Act 244) aim to better reflect the realities of today’s creative landscape and gather crucial input from industry players, Bernama reported.
“Many changes today involve filming processes that are no longer limited to traditional films, and also changes involving exhibitors. Previously, many would go to the cinema, but today there are different formats, and many are involved in content creation for social media platforms,” he said.
The amendments will focus on three key areas: expanding regulatory scope, strengthening governance, and enhancing Finas’ functions. Special attention will be given to recognising digital platforms and over-the-top (OTT) services as part of the broadcasting ecosystem.
“With these amendments, the roles and rights of industry players will be more clearly recognised, and official recognition of digital platforms as part of the modern broadcasting landscape will be incorporated into the regulatory framework,” Fahmi said.
He added that the bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament as early as July or by year-end.
Fahmi said the reforms will provide a stronger foundation for the creative industry to progress in a more structured and future-ready way. More engagement sessions are planned to ensure the Act evolves with industry needs.
The town hall coincided with Finas’ Muhibah Hari Raya celebration, where several key initiatives were also announced to improve the welfare of creative workers.
Among the highlights was Finas’ plan to sponsor the opening of i-Saraan accounts under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for 1,000 arts and creative industry workers, particularly freelancers and backstage crews. The initiative, which runs until September 2025, prioritises those without existing EPF accounts.
“This initiative not only paves the way for retirement savings, but it also sends a clear message that the Madani Government does not neglect those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to build the industry,” said Fahmi.
The sponsorship forms part of the Pelindung Programme, a joint effort by Finas and the Federation of Malaysian Film Associations (Gafema), to strengthen social protection for creative professionals. Through partnerships with the Social Security Organisation (Socso) and EPF, workers can now enrol in both the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme and i-Saraan, regardless of age.
Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said applications for the sponsored EPF accounts are now open via Finas and Gafema.
“The minimum contribution is RM50, but for this special initiative, Finas will cover the balance for the first 1,000 accounts. We are grateful to EPF, and this initiative is a direct result of our MoU from last year,” he said.
Also in attendance were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, Bernama CEO Datin Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Broadcasting Director-General Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman, and IPPTAR director Roslan Ariffin.
In a separate remark, Fahmi responded to comments by Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, who described recent PKR election results as a “democratic revolution”, saying it was merely the MP’s personal opinion. – April 22, 2025