KUALA LUMPUR: Reforms in the creative industry will continue, says Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil following praises from an artistes’ group.
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) yesterday, Fahmi said some of the views from arts practitioners had been translated through Budget 2024.
Fahmi posted a newspaper article quoting Seniman president Rozaidi Abdul Jamil or Zed Zaidi thanking him and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for listening to the proposals of artistes.
“This is the best so far after several complaints were made to different ministers before,” Zed Zaidi was quoted as saying in the article, Bernama reported.
Among others, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister had announced in Budget 2024 that the entertainment tax had been reduced from 25% to 10% for international performances and a full exemption for local ones.
In his social media post, Fahmi wrote that Zed Zaidi was initially critical of him when he was first appointed Communications and Digital Minister.
“Through the townhall session that was held immediately after I was appointed as minister, I had the opportunity to listen to the views and challenges of arts practitioners, including from Zed,” he said.
On March 16, the arts industry had complained to Fahmi that the current 25% entertainment tax was excessive.
“My response (at the time) was that this will be discussed with the Finance Ministry,” he said.
Fahmi said that during his 10 months at the ministry, he received various suggestions and problems.
“It’s not easy to fulfil everything, but I have to start. Alhamdulillah, the requests of arts industry players have been fulfilled.
“Entertainment duty is exempted for performances by local artistes. God willing, with the mandate entrusted, I will solve this industry’s problems one by one,” he said.
