PEMULIH brings relief, allows arts & creative industry players to breathe

Malaysian Television Producers Association president Datuk Jurey Latiff Rosli said the assistance will definitely alleviate the burden of the industry players, especially production crew who have lost their job after the sector was not allowed to operate.

He said it also proved the government's concern about the wellbeing of the industry players affected since the pandemic began early last year.

"We are very grateful to the government for the allocation. In fact, various assistance had also been channelled to us since last year.

"However, we hope the distribution of aid this time around will be done in a more comprehensive manner involving all workers in the industry whether they are working with a company or just freelancing," he told Bernama.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday announced that the government had allocated RM100 million under PEMULIH in the form of funding facilities and financial assistance to help 8,000 artists, musicians, actors, theatre activists, writers and production crew members.

The allocation includes incentives for the production of works and digital content; career opportunities; skills development programmes; contributions under the Social Security Organisation (Socso) as well as the procurement of products for the purpose of production on television, radio as well as the composition of songs.

Elaborating, Jurey Latiff also called on all production companies and agencies to ensure that the incentives and assistance be given to the deserving individuals.

Nevertheless, he said despite the assistance, it was also hoped that the government will consider the industry's plea to be allowed to resume filming activities during Phase One of the Movement Control under the National Recovery Plan.

"The assistance is indeed a relief, but we need jobs to survive and help revive the industry," he said.