KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 6): The government has been urged to formulate a comprehensive and structured creative economy (orange economy) policy.

This is to drive the growth of this sector, which is becoming increasingly popular among youth and has a strong potential to contribute to national income.

Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (PH-Gombak) said without a strong policy, Malaysia’s local talents and creative potential risk being lost over time or “poached” by other countries.

As such, he said it is time for Malaysia to place the creative economy at the heart of future development and elevate local products, such as “Malay Pop”, into a global phenomenon in the next 30 years.

“The creative economy is not merely about artistic activities, fundamentally, it is about the society’s ability to view ideas as a driver of new development. South Korea has proven how investment in the creative ecosystem can create global phenomena like K-pop and K-drama, and produce Oscar-quality films.

“Malaysia also has tremendous potential in the creative economy, especially among the younger generation. We have already demonstrated our capabilities through productions like Les’ Copaque’s Upin & Ipin, now known in Hollywood, and animations like Ejen Ali, Mechamato, and many others,” he said when debating the motion on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.

Speaking on the same issue, Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera) said Malaysia’s creative economy is in a sad state, not due to a lack of talent, but because of the country’s failure to value its practitioners.

She said many practitioners in the arts and creative industry do not have Employees Provident Fund (EPF) or Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) contributions, leaving them financially vulnerable and without social safety nets, despite being regarded as custodians of national culture and heritage.

“If we want Malaysia to progress not only economically, but in terms of soul and culture as well, we must protect our storytellers, fund the arts adequately and enforce fair contracts.

“Implement mandatory payment timelines, build infrastructure, and create ecosystems that support grassroots artists. If we abandon the arts, we lose our national identity,” she said.

Syerleena also compared Malaysia to neighbouring countries like South Korea and Thailand, which have successfully leveraged their creative industries as engines of economic growth, while Malaysia, she said, is falling behind on the global stage due to a lack of clear strategy.

“South Korea built its global influence through K-Drama and K-Pop. Indonesia has made major investments in the arts, and Thailand saw a tourism boom thanks to HBO’s The White Lotus series.

“This is not about luck, it’s about strategy. The economic impact includes surges in tourism demand and injection of millions of ringgit into the local economy,” she added.

Meanwhile, Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) proposed that the government revoke sugar subsidies and ban the sale of electronic cigarettes (vape) in the country due to worsening public health concerns.

He said half of the adult population in Malaysia consumed sugar excessively, while 39% led unhealthy lifestyles and were at risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“It’s time to revoke the RM500 million annual sugar subsidy in favour of long-term national health. The subsidy should be redirected to the Ministry of Health to carry out public health efforts,” he said, adding that yearly health check-ups should be made compulsory for all Malaysians.

Suhaizan also urged the government to ban the sale of vape products, as implemented in Singapore and Thailand, as their contents have been linked to various health problems such as cancer and stroke.

“The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) found that 14.9% of teenagers in 2022 had taken up vaping. Pulai echoes the concerns of parents, teachers, and healthcare workers nationwide in calling for a total ban on vape products,” he said.

The sitting will resume on Thursday.

For more Parliament stories, click here.

Uploaded by Felyx Teoh