M’sia sets eyes on Grammys via National Music Corp

KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya hopes to win Malaysia’s first-ever Grammy, among others, with the formation of Perbadanan Muzik Negara, or National Music Corporation – a body to manage and administer the industry’s developments.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said now is the time to establish the corporation, as talks of its formation have been ongoing for years.

“And we must get the source of power from the cabinet. That is why we are preparing the paperwork to be brought to the cabinet.

“More specifically, the goal is to allow the rakyat to defend, consolidate and uphold the Malaysian music industry,” he said at a press conference and award ceremony for the beneficiaries of the Cultural Economy Development Agency (Cendana) recovery initiative at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre in Sentul here.

Present were Cendana founding CEO Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehudin and MyCreative Ventures chairman Noor Azmi Mat Said.

Saifuddin said the corporation has many objectives for the medium to long term, but several “quick wins” will be implemented in the short term.

“This includes the road to the Grammy Awards, but those following the developments need not worry as this will not involve existing funds.

“We understand that this (winning at the Grammys) involves big funding. It is the same as our discussions with the National Film Development Corporation on the road to (winning at the) Oscars. We have to look for extra funding.”

He said the “quick wins” include the organising of an International Nasyid Awards later this year to make Malaysia a “home for contemporary nasyid”.

Saifuddin officiated the handing out of Cendana’s recovery initiative, which saw some RM10 million worth of assistance given to 575 recipients. The funding is part of the government’s Penjana initiative.

The minister said the funds will help create or retain 3,000 jobs in the creative industry.

He added that the initiative benefits those from the performing arts, craft-making, independent music scene and art space restoration, among others.

Some of the beneficiaries were present at the event, while hundreds of others had joined via live streaming.

Saifuddin said there are different grant sizes, depending on the application and targeted programme.

“We want to help as many creative industry people as possible. We are seeing the bigger picture by consulting with television stations, including the private sector.

“The main target is to enable as many activities as possible to resume in the industry after a year of facing the Covid-19 pandemic.” – The Vibes, April 5, 2021