KUALA LUMPUR – The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) was not involved in the final selection process of the RM46.99 million digital content grant (DKD), said chairman Zakaria Abdul Hamid.
Instead, he said, the recipient selection on June 29 was conducted by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, and Finas acted only as a facilitator of the programme, reported BenarNews.
The portal quoted Zakaria as saying that the selection panel comprised professionals chosen by the ministry.
“After Finas was led by a new team, a decision was made whereby applicants with family ties to the corporation or management are not allowed to apply for the DKD.
“That is what we did to ensure the process was transparent and fair,” he said, adding that it will not cause a conflict of interest.
His comment comes following claims that a sibling of a senior Finas official had received funds from the grant.
“On this matter, I wish to explain that the recipient had applied for the DKD through a proposal before the new management began leading Finas,” said Zakaria.
“The (individual’s) selection process continued as it was not fair for the new management to cancel an earlier application.
“What is certain is that Finas is not involved in the selection process.”
He was responding to an allegation by film-maker and scriptwriter Asri Alias, who alleged bias in the distribution of the funds, as reported by The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran on July 2.
Asri, who made an application for the grant, said he had completed and sent the required documents and forms.
He had also won a scriptwriting contest held by the film agency, he added, but his production house was not called in for a pitching session.
Asri said during an event in March, he had raised the matter with Zakaria, who explained that his application was not accepted due to a lack of filmmaking experience.
The director said although his production house has not made any feature films, it is not new, and has produced a series of documentaries and television dramas since its establishment in 2013.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah had on June 29 announced the distribution of the grant, amounting to RM46.99 million, to 81 production companies.
Saifuddin said the DKD comprised four categories, namely film grants, documentary film grants, marketing grants and TV/OTT programme grants in special collaboration with Astro, according to Bernama.
He said the grant is expected to create 3,175 jobs, and help national arts and creative industry players affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zakaria said Finas has no reason to reject any application for the DKD if a production house qualifies for it.
“The problem is that there are those in the creative industry who feel that their proposal is the best and perfect. That is why when their application is rejected, they cannot accept it.
“As members of the creative industry, they should be open-minded, and accept criticism as a challenge and stimulant to improve the quality of their work.”
He said he respects those who have succeeded in getting the grant, showed appreciation, and kept the matter confidential.
He added that he is baffled by those who blame Finas for not getting their applications approved. – The Vibes, July 5, 2021
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