Orange economy state-level meeting expected in November, Fahmi says

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil presents Deepavali contributions at a Deepavali aid programme for the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency at IWK Eco Park@Pantai Dalam in Kuala Lumpur, October 28, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Thursday, 29 Oct 2026 9:24 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — A meeting involving state executive councillors (Exco members) to discuss developments in the orange economy is expected to be held in the third week of November or by the end of the month, said Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the proposed working committee would involve state Exco members and ministers to discuss the progress of the orange economy in their respective states.

Fahmi said he had recently presented a note on the proposed establishment of the committee at the Meeting of Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers.

He said the discussions would focus on feedback and proposals from state governments, including identifying potential film locations, craft products, cultural groups and animation teams that could be promoted and supported.

“This is important because we need to obtain feedback, views, findings and proposals from Exco members and state ministers on the creative economy,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the Lembah Pantai Parliamentary Deepavali Aid Presentation Ceremony at IWK Eco Park@Pantai Dalam here last night, organised by the Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament’s Office in collaboration with Minnal FM.

Also present were Communications Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.

Fahmi said the government needed time to obtain feedback from state governments before the Orange Economy Council met again.

“We need a little more time at that level. We expect the Orange Economy Council to meet again in the first quarter of next year,” he said.

The Orange Economy Council (MEJ) was established a few months ago and is chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with membership comprising several ministries.

Earlier, Fahmi presented RM150 vouchers to about 600 families in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency in conjunction with Deepavali to help ease their cost of living and festive preparations.

He said the vouchers could be redeemed at selected outlets, including Checkers Hypermarket, Mydin Mart Pantai Dalam, TMC Bangsar and Econsave Scott Garden in Jalan Klang Lama, from October 23 to November 18, 2026.

Fahmi said the government had also introduced various initiatives to assist the Indian community, including an allocation of RM150 million through the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA), as well as RM150 million each through Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) and the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun).

He said cooperation with relevant agencies and Minnal FM would be undertaken to improve the Indian community’s understanding of and access to the various government assistance programmes available.

In Lembah Pantai, Fahmi said efforts were also being made to improve facilities at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Bangsar and SJKT Saraswathy, both categorised as under-enrolled schools. These included purchasing new laptops for their computer laboratories and upgrading infrastructure.

“This is important to me. I want these two Tamil national-type schools to remain in Lembah Pantai. We will ensure that they can continue operating,” he said. — Bernama