Production companies found abusing PELAKSANA grants risk revocation

Film production firms found to be abusing grants obtained through the Creative Industry Immediate Economic Action Plan (Pelaksana) face the risk of having the incentive revoked.

Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) chief executive officer Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri said the grant offered was meant specifically to increase employment opportunities and revitalise the industry, and not for producers to keep it as 'stock' or reserve.

He said producers should utilise the money provided for the right purpose and not deliberately delay the production process for no reason.

"... because we know that some publishers already have ongoing projects with television stations, maybe they can get (funds) outside the Pelaksana plan, we would just like to request to them that if they are already stable, please give the opportunity to others," he said during the Ruang Bicara programme on Bernama TV here yesterday.

Pelaksana was launched by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah in July, with the focus on helping and injecting funds into the industry over the second half of this year.

Saifuddin was reported to have said that the injection of funds would help film companies resume production as well as in terms of paying off debts after not being able to operate for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asked about the response received over the incentive, Ahmad Idham said it had been encouraging thus far.

-- BERNAMA