Category: Entertainment

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 — The Malaysian Film Development Corporation (Finas) expressed confidence of the film industry making a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with the cooperation of the film industry players and support from the government.

Finas chief executive officer Prof Dr Md Nasir Ibrahim said various programmes and initiatives had been planned this year to mobilise the film industry, including providing flexibility for the use of equipment, including studio production equipment.

“If our films are not reactivated, it will affect the ecosystem of the film industry. If there is no funds and no producer with strong finances, then no film can be produced and this will affect the directors, actors and actresses, as well as production crew,” he said.

He said the Amateur Enhancement Programme by the Film Directors Association of Malaysa (FDAM) to produce young directors was a good effort.

“If all parties, including associations under Finas, play their respective roles, I am confident that our film industry will revive,” he said flagging-off the crew and cast for the film “Misteri Hutan Tok Kepak” (MHTK) at the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station here today.

Also present were FDAM president Dr Ahmad Ibrahim, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) chief corporate officer Suhaimi Yaacob and FDAM Advisory Council member Shuhaimi Baba.

Meanwhile, Ahmad said FDAM aimed to produce at least 10 young producers among its amateurs every year through the products of low-cost films.

“Since end of 2019, beginning with the first four members, now the number of FDAM amateur members has reached almost 300 people from all over the country. They are from various background and career, including lecturers, lawyers, businessmen, producers, actors as well as new graduates.

“Although they have no experience in film directing, they have shown interests to get the knowledge and skills from senior directors,” he added.

He said the film Misteri Hutan Tok Kepak co -produced by FDAM and K. Titanium Pictures was a pilot film production project undertaken entirely by the first generation of young producers among FDAM amateurs.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 –The existence of the social media such as TikTok is not only a platform for the community to showcase talent and creativity, but also to communicate and socialise.

It is through this application that Ridzuan Khalid, 39, a lecturer in hospitality at the Rompin Community College, shares his daily activities, especially after venturing into cattle breeding in Felda Bukit Kepayang, Bera, Pahang since March last year.

His effort not only gained the attention of his students, but also other TikTok users, thus ‘opening the eyes’ of the public, especially the youths, to venture into the unglamorous career.

“Initially, the account was opened to evaluate assignments given to my students for the subject on entrepreneurship, especially on the aspect of their ability to project themselves .

“So, I’m using the same approach by uploading the video of my daily activities on the farm so that they could use it as a reference,” he told Bernama.

He said the response from viewers was “very positive”, especially from the young people and some of them contacted him asking on how to get started and become a llvestock breeder.

“So, what I’m doing is to educate and inspire them to venture into the field of animal husbandry. Don’t be shy. This field has a very bright future with a high and wide market,” said Ridzuan, who has nearly 37,000 followers on ik Tok.

Ridzuan, also known as “Sir Ladang” among his followers on TikTok, chose to venture into livestock farming after realizing the potential of the industry and for side income.

He said it was also to appreciate the sacrifice of his younger brother, Hanafi Khalid, 35, who decided to return to the village to take care of both their parents.

“We started with a capital of RM10,000 , which was used to buy three cows and build the cowshed. After seeing the potential, I decided to invest my savings by buying 12 more cows and plan to have up to 30 cows this year.

“For now we are still in the phase of learning, to know more about breeding cows, but have started accepting orders for the cows be used for this year’s Aidil Adha sacrifice,” he said, adding that he would be at the farm after work daily and on weekends.

Ridzuan said he and his brother had no background or knowledge on livestock farming when they ventured into it, but got help from experienced cattle farm operators in the village, and also sought advice from the Veterinary Services Department (JPV).

“Honestly, this field is very challenging, especially for those of us who have zero knowledge. So, what we do is to find experienced cattle breeders, including watching videos on YouTube to learn how to operate and manage the farm,” he added.

Ridzuan, who is the fifth child of nine siblings, said despite having a stable job as a lecturer, working on the farm gave him a different satisfaction.

“When teaching, the satisfaction is seeing the students succeed, but the pleasure being with nature gives a different kind of satisfaction. It takes away all the stress as a lecturer. It is like a therapy, especially when the cows are more tame and even know me as their masters,” he added.

On his plans, Ridzuan said he hoped to pursue studies at the doctorate level in hospitality and tourism next year.

For the time, it is to further expand this business by becoming a supplier of fresh meat in the next five years, as also to have a vegetable farm, he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 — TaiwanPlus, a new global English-language video streaming platform, launches a 2022 TaiwanPlus Original Series titled ‘Road to Legacy’, a 10-episode docuseries detailing the journey to fame of 10 bands in Taiwan.

On Jan 17, TaiwanPlus holds the world premiere at Legacy Taipei, with the docuseries launched exclusively and free to stream worldwide via www.TaiwanPlus.com. on the same day.

Since its inception, “TaiwanPlus strives to provide a platform to showcase the diverse, creative culture that flourished under Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.

“Following the positive reception from the TaiwanPlus Film Festival, which was an online curation of 10 iconic Taiwanese films, the platform now seeks to Bring Taiwan to the World through the country’s dynamic indie music scene,” indicates TaiwanPlus CEO Joanne Tsai in a statement.

Produced by TaiwanPlus, ‘Road to Legacy’ is a co-production with Legacy Taipei, a live house institution in Taiwan that has hosted many renowned international and Taiwanese bands since 2009.

Executive Producer Tien Tsung Ma says: “Contemporary Taiwanese music ranges from electronic music, rock, folk to hip-hop, and this docuseries is a timely snapshot of Taiwan’s music scene.”

Shot over the course of 2.5 years, the docuseries unveils the truest side of these music artistes, sharing their personalities, philosophy, and vision.

Among the 10 bands featured, Tizzy Bac, ABAO and Namewee have garnered the most international presence. Tizzy Bac offers a unique style of indie rock by integrating jazz, alternative rock, and electronic elements while indigenous Taiwanese R&B artiste, ABAO, is hailed a symbol of culture and heritage. Malaysian artiste and musician, Namewee, is known for pop and hip-hop, having garnered a following in East and South-East Asia.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has recognised Music Rights Sabah Berhad (MRS) as the licensing body to conduct royalty collection activities for local artistes and musicians in the state, effective Jan 7.

The matter on MRS was announced by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi during a consumer appreciation night, with the Sabah Consumer Exco, media and consumer non-governmental organisations (NGOs), held here.

Also present were Sabah Community Development and People’s Welfare Minister, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and state KPDNHEP director, Georgie Abas.

At the event, Nanta also presented a certificate to the MRS’ chairman and managing director Asmin Mubin.

Speaking to reporters later, Nanta said that MRS will conduct royalty collection activities on behalf of singers; musicians in song recordings; music video makers, and local recording companies involving Sabahans.

“The establishment of MRS as a licensing body, among others, will benefit its members in managing royalty rights as well as safeguarding their welfare in the music industry.

“Among the members under this body are songwriters; lyricists; singers; musicians in song recordings; music video makers and recording companies,” he said.

Nanta said that MRS was the seventh licensing body declared as a copyright controller under the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) and empowered to collect music royalties and issue licences to use music to the general public, especially in Sabah.

The six other recognised bodies include Music Authors’ Copyright Protection Berhad (MACP); Public Performance Malaysia Berhad (PPM); Recording Performers Malaysia Berhad (RPM); MPLC Sdn Bhd; and Music Right (Sarawak) Berhad, he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SIBU, Jan 3 — Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) secretary-general Priscilla Lau was summoned to the Central Police Station here today over numerous TikTok videos she uploaded on Sarawak’s rights to independence.

Lau said she was being investigated under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code for allegedly publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public, or any section of the public.

Lau, who was accompanied by her lawyer brother Roger, admitted uploading the videos but claimed there was no incitement in them.

Those videos were educational and all the information was obtained through the internet, she said in a statement.

“During the lead-up to the recently concluded 12th Sarawak Election, I uploaded numerous videos to TikTok on Sarawak’s right to independence. Today, I went to the Central Police Station to answer multiple reports against me concerning those videos,” she said.

In the videos she had spoken on Sarawak’s right to independence through the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI).

“I also spoke on Malaya’s independence in 1957 from Great Britain and Singapore’s separation from Malaysia in 1965. All this information and facts are written in history books. Students study these in schools,” she said.

“I will continue to stand on the side of Sarawak and speak on her right to Merdeka (independence),” said Lau, who contested and lost in the Bukit Assek seat in the state election on Dec 18.

Joseph Chieng of Gabungan Parti Sarawak polled 4,684 votes to win the seat in a six-cornered fight.

Acting Sibu district police chief Supt Dr Collin Babat confirmed the investigation and said 12 reports had been lodged against Lau.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) via its agency, Tourism Malaysia, is hosting the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Dec 26 until 31 Dec, promoting Malaysia as the preferred ecotourism destination in the world.

MOTAC in a statement here today said Malaysia is joined by 16 organisations, consisting of five state tourism boards, three associations, one hotel chain, one product owner, and six tour operators.

“Throughout Tourism Malaysia’s Ecotourism Week, participants get to learn more about different perspectives of ecotourism in Malaysia,” it said.

Malaysia’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, which ends on March 31, 2022, is spearheaded by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) as the implementing agency.

Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri will also attend a networking dinner with members of the travel trade and media in UAE tomorrow as part of her first Tourism Sales Mission to the Middle East.

Scheduled from Jan 1 to 5 Jan, the mission aims to reinstate and enhance Malaysia’s commitment to establishing good tourism cooperation, engaging future collaborations, and cooperation in the tourism industry.

“Our participation in this expo and the forging of smart and strategic global partnerships is significant not only to promote Malaysia as a preferred destination but more importantly to ensure that our industry players and tourism value chain that have been affected for the past two years are able to regenerate income as we continue to promote our Langkawi Travel Bubble internationally,” said Nancy.

The government launched its first International Travel Bubble by reopening Langkawi Island to fully-vaccinated international tourists beginning last Nov 15 with no quarantine requirements.

As of Dec 27, 97.6 per cent of Malaysia’s adult population have been fully inoculated while 78.4 per cent of its total population have completed vaccination.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency