1 week Ago By AMALIA AZMI
PETALING JAYA: The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) will sponsor the registration of i-Saraan Employees Provident Fund (EPF) accounts for 1,000 members of the creative industry.Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that the initiative, which will run until September, would prioritise applicants who had yet to open an EPF account."Those interested may apply through Profima (Malaysian Professional Film Workers Association) and Gafema (Malaysia Film Association Coalition)," he said during a press conference at the Finas Hari Raya Open House at the Royale Chulan Hotel today.
Present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac.Fahmi also launched the Gafema and a social protection initiative under the Pelindung programme.As part of the event, Gafema handed over a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the Communications Ministry through Finas, marking a gesture of solidarity and a collaborative step towards developing industry policy.
Fahmi said that one of Gafema's key initiatives, in partnership with Finas, was to establish comprehensive social protection for creative professionals, especially freelancers, production crews, and behind-the-scenes workers.He also said that Gafema, established on Aug 21, 2023, was now officially recognised by Finas as the umbrella body for the creative sector."We will ensure that Gafema becomes the umbrella body for associations across various sectors of the film industry.
Finas will primarily liaise with Gafema on most matters," he said."Gafema has united over 16 associations, including producers, directors, technical staff, animators, scriptwriters, post-production professionals, and many others, into one collective entity to advocate for rights, welfare, and industry development.""I also welcome the presentation of the MoU from Gafema to Finas as a symbol of our shared commitment to strengthening industry policies," he added.
Earlier, Finas held a creative industry town hall programme, where it provided a briefing on proposed amendments to the Finas Act 1981. The session also provided a platform for industry players to share their views and ensure the continuous improvement of the sector.Fahmi expressed hopes that the amendments would be tabled in Parliament by July, or at the latest, by year-end.
He said that the legislative changes were expected to form a solid foundation for the creative industry's growth in a more structured and progressive direction.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
