PUTRAJAYA: The RIUH Keluarga Malaysia tour which was previously held in the Klang Valley will be expanded to 14 locations this year to provide greater benefits to arts industry practitioners, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the government had recognised the creative industry as one of the high-impact strategic industries which would be given special focus under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

"The RIUH Keluarga Malaysia tour programme will be a platform to deliver information on the country's digital economy as well as encourage arts practitioners to switch from hobbies to industrial activities that can generate income and indirectly contribute to the country's economy," he said in a statement here today.

Annuar said the programme also serves to develop the local creative ecosystem by connecting brands, creative entrepreneurs, creators and artists with the community.

RIUH is an effort by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to rejuvenate the creative industry. It is jointly organised by departments and agencies under the ministry, namely MyCreative Ventures Sdn Bhd, Broadcasting Department (RTM), Information Department and supported by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation.

The first edition of the RIUH Keluarga Malaysia themed Colours of Malaysia was launched in Ayer Hitam, Johor yesterday, known as "RIUH EK! Together with unifi" featuring local dialects and Telekom Malaysia (TM) as the main sponsor.

Annuar said the organising of the programme was in line with the potential of Johor which has rich culture and heritage as well as local arts, while Ayer Hitam is known as the ceramic town due to the high-quality clay resources in the area.

"In fact, Ayer Hitam is not only famous among the locals, but also an attraction for visitors from all over the country. It is also home to traditional arts and culture such as ghazal, kuda kepang, zapin, inang, Hokkien opera and many more," he said.

He added that the RIUH Keluarga Malaysia tour series will be held every month in other states throughout the country as a platform to promote creative industry activities as well as encourage the people and the local community to participate in the digital economy.

Meanwhile, Annuar said works are being carried out to provide better internet access and improve the telecommunication infrastructure in Johor, adding that a total of RM934.5 million has been allocated to improve fibre optic connectivity and networks in the state.

"In an effort to improve the quality of telecommunication infrastructure in Johor, a total of RM589 million has been spent under the National Digital Network (JENDELA) programme to ensure that the people in Johor will move forward and lead not only in the creative industry but also in digital economy activities," he said.

-- BERNAMA