THE National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) will help resolve the issue of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions for artists, according to Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

He said that Finas had submitted a plan for a creative industry task force to the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia.

“We also want to discuss with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Finance where we can channel advertising payments to Finas, so that it can pay the EPF contribution for registered actors,” he said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday at a celebration for National Artist Day 2022.

“We hope that not only great producers (and) actors can be unearthed, but also quality film companies,” he said.

Previously, Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa said that the celebration would be held on March 22, the birthday of P. Ramlee, to commemorate the contributions of the country’s great artists.

Meanwhile, Finas chief executive officer Md Nasir Ibrahim said that the agency had made it mandatory for all production companies to make EPF contributions for artists, actors and production crews.

“This is the first step under an agreement between Finas and the recipients of the funds. The money can be used in old age if they are no longer acting,” he said.

Md Nasir also said that Finas would discuss with ministries to enable artists, especially freelancers, to also make EPF contributions via their employers. – Bernama, March 23, 2022.