Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is committed to strengthening the local creative industry as a new economic driver and a catalyst in advancing Borneo’s cultural narrative on both the national and international stage.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the State Government, through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan, is focusing on developing digital economy and knowledge-based industries, including creative content.
He said several initiatives are currently underway to upgrade creative facilities and support content training centres and incubators in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Sandakan.
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');});These efforts are being coordinated through close collaboration with federal agencies such as the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FInas), which provides the Creative Content Fund (DKK) to support the local creative industry.
“This fund is crucial in helping artists and production houses create content that reflects Sabah’s identity, thereby promoting folk tales, history and the diversity of indigenous languages to a wider audience,” he said during the Presentation Ceremony of Letters of Acceptance for the Sabah Creative Content Fund (DKK), here, on Tuesday.
His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.
Hajiji said the DKK, introduced by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Finas, offers a wide platform for Sabahans to showcase their stories, culture and heritage through various media such as films, documentaries and television programmes.
“Sabah possesses extraordinary socio-cultural diversity with more than 30 ethnic groups and over 200 sub-ethnic groups. This makes the State one of the richest regions in terms of oral, visual and narrative culture, deserving recognition as a source of authentic content.
“In fact, Sabah’s natural beauty whether on land, sea, or in the mountains also offers a tremendous advantage when translated into creative content that can captivate both local and international audiences,” he said.
Hajiji also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Communications, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and the Ministry’s team along with Finas for choosing Sabah as the host for this high-impact programme.
He described the event as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding the nation’s creative ecosystem beyond the Klang Valley while also recognising the potential of Sabah and Sarawak not just as filming locations but as hubs for the creation of high-value content.
“Initiatives such as the Borneo TV Programme Fund and the Joint Documentary Fund with Borneo TV are strategic moves that position Borneo at the heart of fresh and original content. We want to see more creative works born from Borneo, not just for Malaysia, but for the world,” he said.
Hajiji also praised the achievements of Sabah’s youths in producing quality works through platforms such as the Sabah Film Lab, Mini Film Fest and the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF), which have successfully gained recognition from audiences and juries both domestically and abroad.
“I encourage more young people, especially those from rural areas, to be brave in trying and making use of the opportunities this fund provides. Stories of one’s hometown, family history and local culture can become great works if translated well,” he said.
Hajiji also urged that creative content be used as a bridge for unity, a source of development inspiration and a cultural mirror of Sabah within the framework of Malaysia Madani.
