Creative economy a focus in communications ministry’s wishlist, says Fahmi

The communications ministry has made the creative sector, or “orange economy”, a key part of its wishlist for next year’s budget, says its minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi said the ministry was looking beyond its routine programmes under Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and its other departments.

“We are also looking at a new area, namely the orange economy or creative economy, given that we formed an Orange Economy Council that will look at the development of the creative economy, covering film, animation, music, as well as arts and culture,” he told reporters after officiating a discussion on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) at Universiti Malaya here.

The government announced plans to establish the Orange Economy Council in April to strengthen the creative industry as a potential driver of economic growth.

According to the statistics department, the cultural and creative industry contributed 6.8% to Malaysia’s gross domestic product in 2024, generating RM130.7 billion.

Regarding the 13MP, Fahmi stressed the need for strict governance, transparency and anti-corruption measures in all project implementation, as public funds are involved.

He said feedback and research from academics presented at the conference would be compiled into a report and submitted to the Cabinet.