TEO: 100 CREATIVE INDUSTRY PLAYERS TO RECEIVE ZIARAH MADANI@FINAS AID NEXT YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) is targeting at least 100 industry players to receive assistance through the Ziarah MADANI@Finas initiative, next year.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said that as of today, a total of 48 industry players have already benefited from the programme, which aims to ease the burden on artists, particularly in areas of welfare and health.

“The contributions, in the form of cash and food, serve as a gesture of appreciation for industry players and aim to foster closer relationships among them. This initiative is a joint effort by Finas’ Industry Affairs, Welfare, and Industry Data Committee, in collaboration with strategic partners,” she said.

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Teo said this after visiting veteran actor Sathia Periasamy, 60, affectionately known as Sathiya, at his home in Setapak Jaya, today.

Also present at the visit were Finas chairman, Datuk Kamil Othman, Finas chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, and its Industry Affairs, Welfare, and Industry Data Committee chairman, Rozaidi Abdul Jamil (also known as Zed Zaidi).

During the visit, Teo presented contributions from the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) and Finas to the veteran actor best known for his role as Ravi in the sitcom, ‘Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu’, who is suffering from a stroke, to help with his medical needs.

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Regarding the Creative Arts Initiative, which began on Jan 1, Teo said that, as of Dec 20, a total of 6,981 active self-employed individuals (OBS) had registered. Of that number, 5,065 had contributed to Plan 2 under the initiative, specifically the SPS Contribution Matching 2.0 programme.

Plan 2 is subsidised by the government, covering 90 per cent, or RM209.50, of the annual contribution of RM232.80.

Meanwhile, Sathiya expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the support he received.

“I am truly thankful for the contribution. All the assistance is being used for medical expenses,” he said. “I have to go for check-ups at the hospital three times a week, and one acupuncture session costs RM180. I also need to take a taxi to the hospital, so this help is a great relief.

Sathiya, who has been active in the creative industry for 42 years, mentioned that he is still working, but only accepts roles which do not require much movement.

-- BERNAMA