The background

• We are asking for Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah to reconsider the interpretation of the following excerpt of the National FIlm Development Corporation Act 1982, Section 22(1), which says that “no person shall participate in any production activities, distribute and exhibit films or any combination the activities specified in Section 21(1) unless a licence is issued authorising him to do so”.
• Video content, even for personal use on social media, could be subject to further licensing requirements stating that filmmakers be registered as owners of a private limited company with at least RM50,000 in paid-up capital.

Our reasons?

• Many netizens, be it aspiring artists or established content creators, use social media platform as an outlet for creative expression and non-commercial applications. It will be challenge for many to even scrimp enough to meet the RM50k capital requirement.
• In the modern age, nearly every man, woman, and child has a smartphone with which they communicate and tell stories on the Internet. A licensing requirement is akin to taking away the liberty of the rakyat to speak and be heard.
• The Malaysian film industry is growing, and will benefit from a more liberal environment to facilitate its expansion. If the relevant authorities are interested in Malaysian films breaking new ground on the international stage someday, there needs to be fewer burdensome regulations, and more freedom for local content to find its footing.
• Businesses large and small have developed a dependence on social media platforms. Licensing from FINAS will adversely disrupt the revenue sources of all stakeholders in trade.
• FINAS will have to deal with an immense volume of applications coming from every single film/video that wishes to be uploaded. Can it handle the workload? Will it be able to manage that data securely? Can FINAS assure the rakyat that the creative spirit will not be stifled under the weight of bureaucracy?

Change starts now!