KUALA LUMPUR – The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) wants to formulate a strategy of integrated actions by the government and private sector to eradicate piracy, especially in the media industry.
Its deputy chairman, Datuk Norman Abdul Halim said the matter would be discussed in its board of directors meeting on April 15.
“It’s better if we can eradicate the problem together and not put the responsibility solely on Finas, as the problem involves all interested parties and those who love the industry,” he said at the launch of the #JANGANTONTONHARAM anti-piracy campaign here today.
He said so far the various activities carried out by various bodies and the agencies including the association are on both ad hoc and in-silo basis.
Norman said Finas had set up a war room to monitor illegal activities in October 2020, which functions as a centre to coordinate all reports and discuss with the authorities such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as well as police for further action.
He said media industry players could report piracy activities by sending an email to the Finas war room via [email protected].
On February 23, the Malaysian entertainment and media industry said in a statement that it has been suffering annual losses amounting to RM3 billion, and that the government is losing RM500 million in income tax due to digital piracy.
Meanwhile, film director and producer Datuk Yusof Haslam said the government should be more serious in addressing piracy, which has been going on for a long time.
“I agree with the campaign to eradicate piracy, but it has not brought about a total solution. Efforts should be mobilised more seriously by the government as many are not afraid of being involved in piracy,” he said. – Bernama, April 7, 2021
