CYBERJAYA – The Communications and Digital Ministry is ready to study the need to set a special mandatory quota for local television companies to broadcast local animations on their respective channels.
Its minister Fahmi Fadzil said this could help local creators showcase their works to the public.
“This is a matter I support. I feel there is a need for us to look at digital content produced in the country, not just for us to generate or publish, but to broadcast and exhibit.
“We perhaps need to consider the suitable policies for animations and several other matters that can help digital content creators showcase their works to the general public, especially in Malaysia,” he told the media after the “Creative Industry Series 2: Digital and Creative Technology Content” town hall session here today.
Almost 400 participants joined the session organised by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). It was also attended by Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching, MDEC chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, and MDEC chief executive officer Mahadhir Aziz.
Fahmi said the government was ready to study efforts to help creators export their works.
“We need to look at what we can do to export their works, at least to the Southeast Asian region, (because) compared to Asean, we see that Malaysia has a population of 34 million but Asean has over 660 million people.
“In terms of the market segment, there are more opportunities. We must look at what we can do to help them, not just domestically but abroad,” he said.
At the same time, Fahmi said the government would also hold further talks with the relevant parties, following complaints by local animation companies that television stations have refused to buy their works due to the high price.
“This is an economic issue. I need to hold further discussions with all parties involved to understand it. Unlike telefilm productions or other productions, we cannot deny the reality that animation works need bigger resources and the question of whether our television stations can afford them.
“Maybe, we can consider next year what we can do to perhaps provide additional support to creators like Les’ Copaque (Production),” he said.
Earlier, during the town hall session, Les’ Copaque founder Burhanuddin Md Radzi voiced his grievances about local animation creators unable to get their works aired on local television stations, and raised the need to prioritise local products for television broadcasts. – Bernama, April 17, 2023
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