KOTA KINABALU: Several indigenous cultural advocates and Sabah-based creatives have echoed Sabah Film and Visual Association's (Safva) concerns over the launch of Borneo.TV.
The new digital streaming platform was launched on Tuesday by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, through a deal between the SMJ Secretariat and Kuala Lumpur-based IB Media Consultant Sdn Bhd.
Indigenous artist-activist Atama Katama (pic), on Thursday, criticised the move as another example of cultural exploitation without consultation with local stakeholders.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He claimed that the initiative failed to uphold the principles of Unesco's 2005 Convention on Cultural Diversity and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Atama, who serves as a UN Indigenous Peoples Rights Representative, also warned of the misuse of the term “Borneo” by outsiders.
He also called out the platform’s ownership by non-Bornean Datuk Izlan Basar, as culturally insensitive and inappropriate.
Sabahan national artist Yee I-Lan echoed these sentiments, describing the initiative as a form of “neo-colonialism” in a public Facebook post.
Safva president Chester Pang had previously said local creatives were not consulted and urged greater transparency on policies and selection criteria.
He welcomed the idea of a Sabah streaming platform but stressed the importance of involving homegrown talent and institutions.
Atama and Safva have called for state intervention, formal consultation mechanisms, and a review of the agreement.
