Malaysian creatives and filmmakers launch petition to sack FINAS CEO & Chairman

Representing the Malaysian creative and film industry, Art Revolt has launched a petition calling for the resignation of CEO and Chairman of the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS), Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri and Zakaria Abdul Hamid respectively.

The petition was launched on the grounds that the two individuals have failed to address the welfare of the creative and film industry players, among other reasons.

“In the pandemic situation plaguing Malaysia today, we, the Malaysian creative and film industry players, feel marginalized by the Chairman and CEO of Finas who should be thinking of ways to help us to continue working in helping our economy as well as the country,” the petition description on Change.org states. “We feel more depressed when the Chairman and CEO of FINAS made statements indicating that we are not contributing to the country’s economy on their social media posts which only displayed their shallow thoughts that they do not deserve to hold important positions.

Idham was re-appointed CEO of Finas in June of last year after his contract ended in March and Zakaria was appointed in May of last year, replacing Datuk Hans Isaac. 

“As of today, our patience is off-limit and it is high time to stop from following the instructions of the Chairman and CEO of Finas who appear to be of no roles as long as they are holding their positions,” the petition description continues. “We hereby petition that we, the Malaysian creative and film industry players, unite in urging the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia to remove the Chairman and CEO of Finas from their positions.”

At the time of publishing this news, the petition had close to 3,500 signatures and requires 5,000 signatures.