BOOST FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND AI
Malaysia’s creative sector will receive a boost, with tickets for local films and theatre performances in the Federal Territories to be fully exempt from entertainment duty starting next year,
The government will also allocate more than RM130 million to support the local film, music and creative content sectors, aimed at “elevating the nation’s image, creating employment opportunities and bringing Malaysian stories to the global stage”.
This includes incentives for local and international film and animation productions that shoot in Malaysia, as well as additional incentives for works that showcase Malaysian culture and national identity.
The government is also stepping up its push to expand the use and development of artificial intelligence (AI).
It will provide an additional 100,000 free AI subscriptions, including ChatGPT, following what Anwar described as an encouraging response to an existing free AI subscription programme for young people.
The prime minister said the government would develop a sovereign AI cloud to keep Malaysians‘ data and the country’s strategic information under national control.
He added that the government would continue to emphasise the importance of young people mastering future-oriented fields, including coding, data science and quantum technology.
Meanwhile, AI Malaysia Bhd, a national agency under the country’s digital ministry, will receive nearly RM15 million to strengthen the safe and ethical AI ecosystem, supporting the target of developing 200,000 skilled AI workers.
