The RM160 million allocation for the creative industry under Budget 2024 is a boon that will help spur the sector to greater heights, said Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Faculty of Creative Technology and Heritage head of performing arts elective Shaipuddin Muhammad.
Shaipuddin said the Statistics Department reported that the creative industry had contributed RM29.4 billion to the gross domestic product in 2019. “They can create various content and leverage the convenience of today’s globalised world. Many in the field have already generated income through social media. I believe the budget allocation will positively impact their social and economic standing.”
Animation Malaysia Educators Society president Assoc Prof Ahamad Tarmizi Azizan lauded the government’s commitment to the growth and development of the animation industry. “Historically, our animation industry has generated revenue from domestic and international markets, contributing some 2% to the GDP in 2022.
He called for investments in technology and infrastructure as well as collaboration between local and international animation companies.