By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s arts and creative industry players are urged to make use of the more than RM130 million allocated under Budget 2027 to strengthen the local film, music and creative content sectors.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the Federal Government allocation provided opportunities for local players to produce quality work, improve professionalism and reach wider markets.
He said this when receiving a courtesy call from the Sabah Creative Associations Coalition (Kreatif Sabah) delegation led by its chairman Chester Pang, at his office in Menara Kinabalu, here yesterday.
Joniston also hoped that the Sabah Budget 2027, scheduled to be tabled in November, would give attention to the development of the state’s arts and creative industry.
During the meeting, Kreatif Sabah presented its role, activities and direction, and submitted two proposals for the establishment of the Kota Kinabalu City Creative Hub (KKCity C-Hub) and the Kota Kinabalu City Orchestra (OBKK).
Both sides also discussed the proposals and the potential for developing Sabah’s arts and creative industry.
Kreatif Sabah, which brings together 11 arts and creative associations in the state, could serve as a platform to identify industry needs, coordinate development proposals and connect the creative community with the government.
The initiative could also support the aspirations of the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 Development Plan (SMJ 2.0) through more structured development of the creative industry, creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for local talent.
Kreatif Sabah hopes the courtesy call will lay the foundation for continued cooperation between the government and industry players to strengthen the arts and creative ecosystem and increase its contribution to Sabah’s economy.
Joniston looking at the proposed memorandum presented by Chester.
