KUALA LUMPUR – The government’s decision to relax restrictions on the entertainment sector is welcomed, but industry players said more needs doing to revive businesses.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob two days ago announced that cinemas and live performances will be allowed to resume at limited capacity in states under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan starting today, much to the relief of operators, especially those in the music industry.
However, music event organisers also have concerns about holding live shows following a shutdown lasting over 18 months.
With strict standard operating procedures, including the requirement for both the audience and staff to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, a 30% capacity limit at venues, and the need to secure the necessary permits from the authorities, live performances may not be feasible, they said.
Rahul Kukreja, who operates live venue The Bee at Publika, told The Vibes that he will not resume shows for the next few weeks at least, as the cost remains high.
“We have not been holding shows for nearly two years. We have not been earning money since entertainment was stopped.
“Now, we will have to bear the cost of regular RTK-Antigen testing for staff, disinfection, backline equipment and so on.”
He said disinfecting his venue will set him back at least RM700 per session, and this needs to be done twice – before and after an event.
“We need funds to kick-start our shows again, but till now, we have not received any financial assistance from the government.
Otherwise, it could mean people would have to pay up to RM100 to watch a local act. Who wants to do that?”
Rahul asked where government-allocated funds for the creative industry, such as under the Pemulih and Penjana initiatives over the last year, amounting to RM250 million have been channelled.
Together with Putrajaya’s annual allocations for the industry, he said, total funding for stakeholders is estimated at RM660 million.
“So, my question is, where is the money now? How has it been distributed? Because my venue has not received a single sen.”
He said he has proposed that the government fund shows at live venues, as has been done in other countries like the United States and Britain, but it fell on deaf ears.
J TWO I Entertainment Sdn Bhd general manager and Malaysian music industry advocate Jennifer Thompson said the Tuesday announcement means live shows will return to the way they were just before the Covid-19 lockdown earlier this year.
It is a welcome move from the government as it allows us to start hybrid and pre-recorded shows, but it will still affect the bigger operators because a 30% audience limit doesn’t make economic sense for big-name concerts and festivals, or even local ones.
“The priority now are those who have received both vaccine doses. We saw this coming when (Health Minister) Khairy Jamaluddin announced that the endemic phase will be declared by the end of October.
“I’m sure the industry will continue doing hybrid (live and live-streamed) shows with a limited audience.” – The Vibes, August 9, 2021
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