Malaysia proposes joint committee with Indonesia on creative industries
Two agreements involving MyCreative Ventures were signed in Jakarta, while ministers also explored cooperation in film and cultural heritage.
Malaysia has proposed a High-Level Committee with Indonesia to bring ministries together and speed up cooperation on creative industries. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the body could coordinate initiatives and advance discussions towards memoranda of understanding.
Speaking to Bernama after meeting Indonesian Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya in Jakarta, Fahmi said the countries allocated responsibilities differently. Work handled by Malaysia’s Communications Ministry spans several Indonesian ministries, making coordination across portfolios necessary.
The ministers witnessed two MoUs being signed by Malaysia’s MyCreative Ventures with Indonesian partners: the Jakarta Creative Economy Committee and EnMasse. Fahmi said the agreements were expected to support joint activities and exchanges, especially in music and associated sectors.
Fahmi also received a briefing on Indonesia’s newly established Creative Economy Ministry under President Prabowo Subianto. He said its approach shared similarities with Malaysia’s Orange Economy Council and could inform Malaysia’s assessment of creative-economy policies and programmes.
In a separate meeting with Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon, Fahmi discussed possible film cooperation, including an MoU and the development of a Nusantara film festival. He also held talks with Indonesian Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid during the visit.
Fadli proposed working with Malaysia to pursue international recognition of Malay heritage, including Jawi script. Fahmi said he would pass the proposal to the relevant Malaysian ministries, including the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry. He cited the kebaya’s December 2024 inscription on Unesco’s intangible cultural heritage list following a joint nomination by Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Thailand as a possible model.
