Arts practitioners in Sabah and Sarawak seek improved funding and institutional support

In Sabah, arts practitioners are calling for the establishment of a Sabah Arts Council through the upcoming State Budget. Datuk Masiung Banah, Chairman of the Government Supporters Club (BBC) of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, stated that a central body is needed to provide a platform for strategic cooperation between art associations and the state government. He noted that the current lack of a parent agency makes it difficult for the government to channel initiatives or funds to creative practitioners.

Meanwhile, in Sarawak, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has urged youth and cultural practitioners to proactively utilize the Creative Industry Fund. The fund provides RM5 million annually in the form of grants or direct contributions rather than loans. Despite the availability of this fund, as well as the Heritage, Arts and Cultural Facilitation Fund, the number of applications remains lower than expected.