By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Feb 25: The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts will continue to support many arts, culture and heritage-related programmes and activities through the use of Events Grants.
Its minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is an additional government grant that creative industry players could use to continue adapting and incorporating new ideas or methods to make their products more presentable.
“Given the fast-changing era, many industry players had to quickly adapt to new creative modifications to keep up.
“Last year, the Sarawak government set aside RM10 million and we hope that we continue to get this kind of budget to support our creative and performing arts industry,” he said.
“I will speak to our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who is also passionate about this industry so that we can have additional funding in the future,” he added.
He said this at a press conference today after the first-ever town session with creative industry players held at a leading mall here.
Meanwhile, at the first town hall meeting, Karim said the objective was to create an understanding of creative industry players.
He added that the session today was attended by some 250 delegates from Kuching, and it will be held on future dates in Simanggang, Sibu, Mukah Miri, Bintulu and Limbang.
“The ministry has to re-look at what these industry players need, and we hope to create a directory that will link all the industry players together and continue to provide grants for them,” Abdul Karim added.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, And Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan and permanent secretary to the ministry Datu Sherrina Hussaini. — DayakDaily
