Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Film and Visual Association (Safva) has stressed that efforts to strengthen the State’s creative industry have never been undertaken in isolation, but have received continuous support from various parties at the Federal level, particularly the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas).
Safva president Chester Pang said Sabah’s creative industry has long benefited from various forms of support, including capacity-building programmes through workshops, professional training and creative content funding for short films and feature films.
“Momentum in the development of Sabah’s creative industry gained greater traction in 2018 when the Communications Minister at the time brought Finas management to Kota Kinabalu for a project pitching session for the first time, which had previously been held mainly in Kuala Lumpur,” he said during the Daily Express Creative Minds Forum 2026 recently.
He said one of the latest developments eagerly awaited by industry players is Finas’ effort to equip Sabah with professional filming equipment, with the procurement process having begun and the relevant tender issued last month.
“More importantly, and most eagerly anticipated by industry players, is the construction of a Finas sound stage studio in Sabah, which is expected to serve as a catalyst for the sustainable and competitive growth of the State’s film ecosystem,” he said.
Chester said Safva highly appreciates the commitment of Finas chairman Hans Isaac and the support of Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil in consistently championing the proposal for the studio’s inclusion under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“I still remember that in 2016, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who was then leading the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, spoke about the idea of establishing a ‘Finas Creation Hub’ in Sabah,” he said.
He said Hans Isaac has also repeatedly stated during speeches in Sabah that one of his main priorities upon returning to lead Finas for a second term is to realise the construction of a Finas sound stage studio in the State.
It is understood that a site for the proposed studio has been identified near the former RTM building area in Karamunsing.
Chester also recorded his appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Fahmi for their continued commitment to advancing Sabah’s creative industry.
“Not forgetting the role of Finas board member Yee I-Lann, who has consistently spoken on the importance of developing a more inclusive and sustainable creative industry ecosystem in Sabah that benefits the local creative community,” he said.
He said such support remains important in strengthening opportunities and long-term growth for creative practitioners in the State.
