Finas To Blacklist Producers If They Have No Film After Getting Grants

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Finas has been told to review its SOP regarding the approval of grants to producers to prevent any misappropriation.KULAI: Individuals and production companies that fail to deliver films from the grants provided by the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas), will be blacklisted from receiving any assistance in the future.
Deputy communications and digital minister Teo Nie Ching said 47 individuals and production companies were identified as having not delivered any films, despite receiving the grants.
“All 47 of them were sent a ‘letter of demand’. However, only three of them responded and, in reimbursing the funds, have shown that they are admitting their wrongdoing.
“For those who do not respond within the given time, Finas will proceed with legal action,” she told reporters after a function here.
Teo, who is Kulai MP, said this in response to a news report that Finas has sued 47 individuals and production companies after they were found to have failed to produce films using the RM20 million that was given to them.

She said strict action should be taken against the defaulters as the funds given to them is public money to help local producers develop the country’s film industry.
The ministry, she said, had asked Finas to review the SOP regarding the money given to applicants to prevent any misappropriation.
“The government will not abolish the fund. We just need Finas to make improvements to the SOP,” she added.
Yesterday, Finas CEO Nasir Ibrahim was reported to have said that funds to produce films amounting to RM20 million given to 47 production companies were allegedly misappropriated for personal gain, with some recipients using the money for home renovations and luxury vacations. - FMT

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