18 Aug – All is well between Syamsul Yusof and FINAS CEO Prof Dr Md Nasir Ibrahim, who recently met up to discuss the issue of digital privacy and entertainment duty. The filmmaker, who came to FINAS to meet with Dr Md Nasir, stated that he is glad that they were able to talk about the issue in a positive manner, and that FINAS has plans in assisting film producers with piracy problems. "We share the same vision. I hope that FINAS' efforts will be assisted by similar activists in the industry. I see the CEO as an academic expert who has a vision and I hope that he is not alone in achieving that vision," he said.
He also thanked the agency for their willingness to sit down with him to discuss the endless issue of digital tampering. "I hope the issue of piracy printing can be brought to the government so that the existing laws become more stringent. The crime of digital piracy printing is different from before. I also hope that the government can review the entertainment excise of 25 percent that is imposed. The government has already obtained the return through corporate and individual excise," he said. "It's even better if the entertainment tax is removed, because the amount charged is too steep and very burdensome for filmmakers," he said. On the other hand, Md Nasir denied that FINAS was ignoring the issue of digital piracy, stating that it was beyond their control since it's under a variety of different organisations including MyIPO and the MCMC. "FINAS can only take legal action if there are parties who distribute films without a valid license. In addition, everything is under the responsibility of the organisation," he said.