The Johor Information Department, in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) south branch and the Artists Association, has organised a Programme with Artists to coincide with the Artists’ Day celebration at the L1C Catering Restaurant in Johor Bahru.
Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, Larkin assemblyman, now Johor’s State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resource Committee chairman in his officiation speech said that the celebration of Artists’ Day (Hari Seniman) is one of the efforts to acknowledge the excellence of creative industry players working in the field of art, as well as to raise public awareness of the significance of cultural arts in developing a Malaysian society with its own identity.
The programme is also an opportunity to reach out and listen to artists who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years. Furthermore, the government’s interest in assisting the country’s artists through various initiatives and programmes has significantly reduced the burden on individuals impacted by the pandemic.
At the ceremony, Mohd Hairi handed over aid to the representative of the veteran artist, Nur Melati Mohd Shukor.
Several veteran artists also attended the event including Aida Agil, Bandi Amuk, S Sahlan and A Rahman Onn.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa earlier had announced the change of date of the Hari Seniman Negara’s celebration, from 29th May to the 22nd of March to commemorate the late P. Ramlee’s date of birth, which was the 22nd of March 1929.
The Malaysian government has channelled an allocation of RM6.71 million to 589 applicants for the Arts and Culture Economic Development Agency (Cendana) Rehabilitation Initiative in an effort to support artists in the arts, culture and entertainment sectors since the 4th of February.
Previously, the Federal government had allocated RM10 million, which is expected to benefit 3,000 recipients among artists and organisations in the arts and culture sector in the country.
