14 Sep - Malaysia's Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil is looking into a number of matters to ensure that any online streaming platform produce a certain percentage of the content in the country. Fahmi said this when asked to comment on the statement made by the President of the Malaysian Television Producers Association, Datuk Jurey Latiff Rosli on Facebook earlier about the worsening fate of filmmakers due to lack of job opportunities. "I have spoken to [Jurey] and the issue is related to some programmes that will be booked through the system at RTM. I researched this matter. It is true that many people apply but the ones successful are few. This is, among other things, the reality of the budget and so on," he said.
However, Fahmi stated that he and his Ministry are looking into some solutions, including collaborations with streaming services. "For example, in some other countries, laws have already been put into place to ensure that any online streaming platform must produce a certain percentage of the content in that country," said Fahmi. "[In Australia], this matter is being discussed and some percentage of the content they show in the country must be produced in Australia." According to Fahmi, the new law will open up more opportunities for producers and the film industry without having to rely entirely on TV stations alone. "We are looking into this matter because it can give more opportunities to producers and the film industry as they won't have to just wait for RTM and other broadcasters like Media Prima Berhad," he said.