KULAI – Individuals and production companies that fail to deliver any films from the grants provided by the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas), will be blacklisted from receiving any assistance in the future.
Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said 47 individuals and production companies were identified to have yet to deliver any films, despite receiving the grants.
“All 47 of them have received a letter of demand, and only three of them have responded to it, and in reimbursing the fund, proves that they admit the wrongdoing.
“For those who do not respond within the given time, Finas will proceed with legal action,” she told reporters after presenting Raya clothing in conjunction with the Cahaya Ramadan Bersama Telekom Malaysia (TM) programme at the Mydin mall here today.
Also present were TM Foundation director Ainol Shaharina Shahar and TM Johor director Md Naziruddin Abd Moez.
Teo, who is Kulai MP, said this in response to a news report that Finas has sued 47 individuals and production companies after they were found to have failed to produce any film using the RM20 million that was given to them.
She said strict action should be taken against the defaulters as the funds given to them is public money to help local productions develop the country’s film industry.
The ministry, she said, had asked Finas to review the standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding granting grants to applicants to prevent any misappropriation.
“The government will not abolish the fund. We need them (Finas) to make improvements to the SOP,” she added.
Earlier, Teo presented Aidilfitri donations worth RM200 each, comprising RM150 from TM Foundation and M50 from the Kulai Parliament, to 70 students from the B40 group.
Yesterday, Finas chief executive officer Prof Md Nasir Ibrahim was reported to have said that funds to produce films amounting to RM20 million given to 47 production companies were allegedly misappropriated for personal gain, including home renovations and luxury vacations. – Bernama, April 15, 2023
