K-KOMM to expedite MOU with ASEAN countries to expand markets

He said he had mentioned in the post-cabinet meeting this morning that K-KOMM should start the initiative immediately by creating a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with all ASEAN countries, giving priority to bordering countries.

"I would like to see an MoU that clearly explores this cooperation without having to wait for people to invite us, we need to be brave and come out from our cocoon. We have many things to offer in terms of cooperation with other countries in telecommunications and the creative industry including film," he said.

Annuar said this after attending the special movie screening of 'Mat Kilau-Kebangkitan Pahlawan' (Mat Kilau-The Rise of A Warrior) at a Golden Screen Cinema in a mall here last night.

Elaborating, he said ASEAN should be seen as an economic region and Malaysia should take advantage of that by initiating the first move to create cooperation with other countries.

He said ASEAN has a population totalling hundreds of millions and has good purchasing power and economic growth.

"We have so much potential and in the film industry, we must take our initiative. Thus, we should create MoUs...including the cooperation in films," he said.

Annuar said previous MoUs with other countries had mostly expired or were outdated before the global onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So, they must be renewed...and this is important because after COVID-19 all countries are racing to restore their economies and lives," he said.

On the Film In Malaysia Incentive (FIMI), Annuar hoped that the fund would be used more widely by industry players due to its relatively low number of recipients.

"We have a revolving fund of more than RM300 million but takers are still low, it just so happened that COVID-19 came about and so on. I want to see FIMI funds fully utilised with more initiatives for us to work with producers from other countries," he said.

He also asked the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) to set up a special fund to encourage the making of films that can be jointly produced or co-directed between local and international industry players to expand the film market.

Commenting on 'Mat Kilau - Kebangkitan Pahlawan', Annuar called on local film industry activists to produce more patriotic-themed works with historical value.

This was because the country has many historical events that could be made into films and shared with the masses, he said.

"I hope more films with historical value and which carry positive messages (be made) for the community because films are not just entertainment but also have their distinctive roles (to play)," Annuar added.