Latest news with #Safva
Daily Express
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Sabah creatives question Finas involvement with Borneo.TV
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 Text Size: Chester (seated middle) and Atama (second right) with other Sabah film industry creatives KOTA KINABALU: News that the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) may host an official programme at office in Kota Kinabalu has sparked concern among Sabah's creative community, given the platform is not locally owned. Sabah Creative Industry Action Committee (Jatiks) spokesperson Andrew Ambrose (Atama) urged Finas to avoid entanglement in the ongoing controversy, which has triggered two police reports over an article deemed insulting to Sabah creatives portraying them as insular, overly sensitive, and "playing the victim." He said they are awaiting a decision from the Sabah Native Court on whether the case qualifies for hearing under customary law. The move by Finas has drawn public backlash online. Facebook user Ramli Carlo questioned the inclusivity of the event, while Rodie Sofazr expressed suspicion over sudden presence in Sabah's creative space. Sabah Film and Visual Association (Safva) President Chester Pang said he was disappointed upon learning the programme would be held at premises, and has raised the matter directly with Finas CEO Dato' Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib. Chester stressed that Finas must now decide whether to support Sabah creatives, back an external platform, or remain neutral. While aware of a possible protest, he urged calm and respect for the attending Communications Minister and Sabah Chief Minister, assuring that Safva would seek clarification through upcoming meetings with the SMJ Secretariat. The episode highlights rising tension between local creators and perceived external influence. Sabah creatives are calling for recognition, consultation, and inclusion in decisions shaping their industry. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Enjoy TV5 offers Sabah producers primetime slot for films
Published on: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 19, 2025 Text Size: Yoko (middle) and Pang with other Safva delegates. CYBERJAYA: Enjoy TV5 has offered Sabah-based producers a dedicated primetime slot to air their completed films and content on its newly launched free-to-air channel. The proposal was made by TV5 Broadcasting Sdn Bhd chairperson Datin Yoko Chou during a courtesy visit by the Sabah Film and Visual Association (Safva) led by its president Chester Pang here on Saturday. Advertisement The meeting covered topics including content provider benefits, IP ownership, and broadcast structure, with ongoing discussions on one-year broadcast rights and number of scheduled airings. Pang said the proposed revenue-sharing model based on advertising was generally acceptable but requires further input from producers before implementation. A follow-up meeting is expected to take place in Kota Kinabalu soon before a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed. Enjoy TV5, Malaysia's only television channel dedicated exclusively to movies and entertainment, officially began broadcasting on May 10. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
RTM confirms support for Sabah filmmakers
Published on: Friday, July 18, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 18, 2025 Text Size: Suhaimi (second left) with (from left) Pang, Jade and Gregory at the town hall. KUALA LUMPUR: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has confirmed plans to hold a content pitching session for Sabah-based providers in Kota Kinabalu. Broadcasting director-general Datuk Suhaimi Sulaiman gave the assurance in response to a question by Sabah Film and Visual Association (Safva) president Chester Pang. Advertisement The announcement was made during the RTM TV Programme Procurement Town Hall Phase 2/2025 held at the Seri Angkasa Auditorium, Angkasapuri here on Friday. Applications for the Phase 2/2025 private TV programme procurement are now open and will close on Aug 13 this year via the e-TVCMS platform. Earlier, Chester, who also directed the film Mantera, received his membership card from Malaysian Directors' Association (FDAM) president Datuk Afdlin Shauki. He said his involvement in FDAM aims to strengthen film industry networks in Sabah and improve local directing skills by learning from experienced national-level filmmakers. Several upcoming programmes are being planned in Sabah through collaborations between Safva and FDAM, with Safva secretary-general Jade Morris and exco member Gregory Giting also in attendance. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Borneo.TV launch sparks backlash from Sabah creatives and indigenous groups
KOTA KINABALU: was launched to bring Sabah's stories to the world – but instead of celebration, it has sparked backlash from local creatives and indigenous groups who say they were excluded from the process meant to represent them. Unveiled on July 1, the online streaming platform is marketed as a digital showcase under the banner "Sabah in the eyes of the world." However, critics argue the initiative risks cultural insensitivity, legal ambiguity and the sidelining of local voices. Several Sabah-based creatives claimed they were blindsided by the launch, asserting there was no formal engagement with local filmmakers, content producers or cultural custodians before the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) secretariat and Kuala Lumpur-based IB Media Consultant Work Sdn Bhd. Sabah Film and Visual Association president Chester Pang described the move as disappointing, calling for greater transparency on policies, content curation and communication channels with the local industry. "This kind of exclusion weakens trust and sidelines the very people who've helped build Sabah's creative ecosystem," he said. Safva, representing Sabah in the Malaysian Film Association Coalition, expressed readiness to collaborate but expects clearer policies and meaningful inclusion moving forward. Beyond the creative sector, cultural advocates say the platform may dilute Sabah's indigenous narratives instead of elevating them. Historian and MA63 advocate Remy Majangkim questioned the implications of outsourcing a cultural platform to a non-local entity. "Are these small steps to neutralise our cultural diversity and remove our sovereign identity through new narratives?" he asked, warning that cultural storytelling must come from within the communities it aims to portray. Indigenous rights activist Atama Katama said the move failed to uphold international cultural standards, including the Unesco Convention on Cultural Diversity and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Sabahan national artist Yee I-Lan echoed those views in a public Facebook post saying that it risks erasing local agency in favour of top-down branding. Legal concerns have also surfaced. Safva legal advisor Yong Yit Jee said it remains unclear whether IB Media holds the necessary broadcasting licences from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission or complies with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010. "Any income generated from Sabah's content must benefit Sabah's economy. Without transparency in contracts or clear IP protection, Sabah creators could be left vulnerable to exploitation or loss of control over their work," he said. Yong also stressed the need for free, prior and informed consent when indigenous cultural elements are involved, warning of possible legal consequences if this is ignored. Safva and other stakeholders are now calling for the public disclosure of the SMJ-IB Media agreement and for an open dialogue involving groups like Jatiks and other cultural bodies to ensure the platform respects the legal, cultural and economic rights of Sabah's creative community. Previously, SMJ Secretariat chief coordinator Datuk Rosmadi Datu Sulai explained that the government remains open to engaging with local stakeholders. But many in Sabah's creative and indigenous circles remain unconvinced, saying meaningful inclusion requires more than after-the-fact invitations. While many support the idea of sharing Sabah's stories with the world, they say the platform's success depends on how genuinely it involves the communities it claims to represent.
Daily Express
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Legal concerns over Borneo.TV: Group
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 Text Size: Safva's legal advisor Yong Yit Jee said several potential legal concerns must be addressed for the platform to function transparently and lawfully. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Film and Visual Association (Safva) has called for a constructive dialogue between the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat, IB Media Consultant Works Sdn Bhd and local creative stakeholders to ensure operates in a legally compliant and equitable manner. Safva said it supports the State government's effort to promote local talent through describing it as 'a commendable initiative to elevate Sabah's creative industry.' However, Safva's legal advisor Yong Yit Jee said several potential legal concerns must be addressed for the platform to function transparently and lawfully. He claimed there needs to be clarity on whether income generated from Sabah content on is contributing to the state's tax revenue, especially as the platform is owned by a peninsula-based company. 'Any income derived from local productions should contribute to Sabah's tax revenue as it directly pertains to the State's economic growth,' Yong said in a statement. He also raised concerns over the handling of intellectual property and royalties for local creators, stressing that 'transparency in the contractual agreements between the SMJ Secretariat and IB Media is vital'. 'It is crucial to ensure that Sabah's artists will receive appropriate royalties and that their intellectual property rights are protected,' he said. Safva urged the State to ensure that IB Media holds the proper broadcasting licences from regulators like the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). 'Without the proper legal authorisations, the platform could be operating in violation of Malaysian laws,' Yong said, warning of potential legal liability for all parties involved. The association also questioned whether has adequate compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), as the platform may collect data from creators and viewers. 'Any breach of privacy regulations could result in severe legal consequences for the platform and its stakeholders,' Yong said. Safva further urged the government to ensure that the platform has clear terms of service and content guidelines to reduce liability linked to user-generated content. In addition, Yong said must uphold the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) when featuring indigenous cultural content. 'Failure to consult with indigenous communities could lead to legal action if cultural elements are used without consent,' he said. Safva called for the public disclosure of the agreement between the SMJ Secretariat and IB Media, stating that 'transparency is essential to safeguard the interests of local creatives'. Yong said the association is ready to collaborate with the State Government and relevant parties to help build a platform that is both legally sound and beneficial to Sabah's creative ecosystem. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
