By Mohd Afiq Zulkifli
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- MyCreative Ventures (MyCV) has been requested to hold follow-up discussions with the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) to identify funding opportunities for visually impaired singers and musicians through existing programmes.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative aims to help these artistes secure support to produce albums and organise performances, thereby expanding opportunities for them to pursue their careers in the creative industry.
“I have asked MyCreative Ventures to hold follow-up discussions with MAB. If MAB wishes to recommend singers and musicians from among its members, we can help, particularly those who want to organise programmes or produce CDs or albums,” he told Bernama.
He was commenting on a recent three-part Bernama special report on the challenges faced by persons with visual impairments in securing opportunities in the creative industry, including in the arts and broadcasting sectors, due to stigma and a lack of confidence in their abilities.
Fahmi said MyCV already has funding programmes that could benefit these individuals, although he had yet to receive detailed information on any application or assistance that had been processed.
In addition to funding, Fahmi said Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has been asked to explore opportunities for MAB members to serve as newsreaders during celebrations or events related to persons with disabilities (PwD), while also creating more opportunities for their participation in the music industry.
He said the proposal is part of efforts to expand their involvement in broadcasting, taking into account the experience of some MAB members who had previously served as event emcees.
He added that the ministry is also prepared to strengthen cooperation with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and other ministries to facilitate access for PwD to various services, grants, funding opportunities and skills development programmes.
“We do not want to pigeonhole them or simply say that MAB falls under the purview of the Social Welfare Department, for example, because many of its members are entrepreneurs.
“I believe other ministries also need to step up efforts to engage with and assist persons with disabilities, including members of associations such as MAB,” he said.
Fahmi said efforts to empower this group could also be expanded through existing digital literacy and artificial intelligence programmes under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI).
Commenting on the RM160 million allocation for the creative industry announced under Budget 2027, Fahmi said no specific allocation has been earmarked for artistes with disabilities. Instead, each application would be assessed based on its merits and suitability for the programme concerned.
Fahmi was previously reported as saying that he would discuss with Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah ways to assist artistes with disabilities, including facilitating permits for busking, karaoke and singing activities, as well as improving access to funding.
Among the issues to be raised with the ministry and relevant agencies are measures to simplify permit or approval procedures for visually impaired musicians to conduct busking, karaoke and singing activities, as well as facilitate their applications for financial assistance.
Meanwhile, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said it is continuing to expand the Disability Equality Training (DET) programme to change employers’, including those in the creative industry, perceptions of the capabilities of PwD.
“The DET programme serves as a mechanism to change employers’ perceptions and attitudes so that they place greater emphasis on the abilities and competencies of persons with disabilities in carrying out their jobs,” the ministry said in a written reply to Bernama.
To expand employment opportunities for PwD, the ministry is continuing to strengthen its Job Coach Service Programme, which helps both job seekers with disabilities and employers to identify suitable tasks and arrange appropriate workplace support.
Its efforts are supported by collaborations with the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) in job matching, skills assessments and competency-enhancement training. This includes the MYFutureJobs platform, which provides skills assessment support and connects job seekers with employers.
In the long term, the ministry intends to strengthen employment opportunities and career development for PwD through policy improvements, the implementation of the Inclusive Career Guidelines for PwD in the Public Sector, enhanced Job Coach services and expanded skills training in collaboration with relevant agencies.
-- BERNAMA