PPFIM defends 'Switch Off 14' campaign

The Malaysian Association of Commercial Film Producers (PPFIM) has called for more support from related associations to better the film, television and content industry.

Concerned about the industry's deteriorating standards, its president Khoo Kay Lye said the advertising fraternity itself has experienced a drastic reduction expenditure from RM200 million in the year 1999 to a mere RM30 million in 2012.

"If this is not a cause for concern, then what is? The question is, why has this taken place and what can be done to renew this very bleak situation?" he asked in a statement.

Khoo's comments came following criticism by some quarters on the 'Switch Off 14' campaign, an initiative by 10 organisations including PPFIM, to demand for better regulations that will protect the interests of its members.

Khoo said the movement was also accused of being "shallow".

"With people not being paid on time, forced to work long and inhuman hours without compensation; on some instances, not being paid at all with creative and professional standards clearly deteriorating...the association begs to ask, who in fact is being shallow here?

"Having being in the industry for over 20 years, I've seen the heydays when our country's film, television and content industry enjoyed significant standing in the region and was well regarded for the high degree of professionalism, quality talent and outstanding creative work.

"Sadly, I wouldn't even encourage any young, hopeful filmmakers to join our industry now," he lamented.

He said the industry today is faced with harsh realities and it needed to initiate immediate action to ensure survival.

"It is imperative to have the support of the government and key industry bodies in making changes and to secure the industry's long-term interest.

"If not, we'll definitely see more decline in this industry, more outflow of local talents to robust neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, China and Vietnam," he added.

Previously, Malaysian Association of Creative Artistes (Karyawan) president Datuk Freddie Fernandez had said instead of the campaign, the correct thing for film workers and producers to do is to sit down and discuss ways of improving the lot of the workers.

"This is something that the government cannot help with. It has to be a purely private sector initiative. The workers have got to set down their requirements and the producers then discuss among themselves before implementing things like minimum payments, insurance schemes and proper working conditions for the workers.

"Sadly, none of these exercises are being done, so it seems as if the people behind 'Switch Off 14' are doing it for the sake of getting some cheap publicity for themselves and are not genuinely concerned about the plight of the people in the industry," Fernandez had said.

On Nov 11, the 'Switch Off 14' campaign, led by the Federation of Screen Guild Malaysia (GAFIM), will present a memorandum highlighting 11 issues, to the Communication and Multimedia Ministry.