Grants, new Puspal guidelines will boost entertainment industry, says association
PETALING JAYA : The Concert and Event in Malaysia Incentives (Cemi), along with the new Puspal guidelines (GPP 6.0), are strategic steps toward strengthening the overall ecosystem of the nation's entertainment industry, says Music Malaysia chairman Freddie Fernandez.
Fernandez said the RM10 million annual allocation under the Cemi programme will serve as a significant boost for the organisation of large-scale concerts and events.
'This move will not only elevate Malaysia's image as a regional entertainment hub, but also stimulate the tourism sector through the increase in domestic and international visitor arrivals,' he said in a statement.
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil, when announcing the initiative yesterday, said the financial rebate programme will take effect from May 15.
Fernandez said the initiative is expected to directly benefit various stakeholders in the industry, including local artistes and musicians who will enjoy more opportunities to perform and get international exposure.
'Additionally, technical personnel such as sound engineers, lighting crews and production teams are expected to benefit from increased employment opportunities.
'Service providers such as sound system suppliers, event venues and accommodation providers are also anticipated to see heightened demand due to the expected surge in events being organised,' he added.
Music Malaysia comprises 15 associations within the music industry, including concert organisers, recording companies, artiste associations and creative arts groups. It includes representation from Sabah and Sarawak.
Fernandez said the GPP 6.0, which will be introduced from May 1, is also expected to expedite the application process for event organisers in obtaining approval from the authorities.
'This update will be particularly beneficial for small-scale performances and promotional events, with the processing time reduced from 14 days to just seven days.
'This will streamline organisers' operations and ensure smoother event implementation.'
He said the association also supports the incident management measures outlined in GPP 6.0, including the implementation of a 'kill switch' that enables immediate termination of performances when necessary.
'This is an important measure to ensure the safety and smooth operation of events. It is a timely move, given past incidents that were unfortunate and could have been avoided,' he said.
The 'kill switch' was initially proposed for use by concert organisers following the incident involving British band The 1975 at the Good Vibes Festival in July 2023 at the Sepang International Circuit.
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