Kuala lumpur: The National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) is strengthening social protection for Malaysian artistes through a collaboration with the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) with support from the Federation of Malaysian Film Associations (GAFEMA).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, FINAS's chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, stated that the collaboration would enable artistes to enroll in PERKESO's Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS) and EPF's voluntary i-Saraan scheme as a long-term investment for their welfare. He further noted that 200 veteran artistes have been approved to receive benefits under the PERKESO SKSPS scheme.

Datuk Azmir highlighted that FINAS has sponsored the opening of 1,000 i-Saraan accounts, with this quota open until September 2025, prioritizing artistes who have never registered before. He shared these details after presenting PERKESO contributor certificates and EPF member certificates to local artistes.

Additionally, he mentioned that FINAS is considering suggestions to provide special incentives or specific funds to veteran artistes to ensure they continue contributing to the industry. He also noted that amendments to the FINAS Act will be presented in Parliament in the future, focusing on production workers' welfare, including insurance coverage and mandatory contributions through filming licenses and certificates.

Based on PERKESO data, the number of registered artistes dramatically increased from 690 in 2020 to 9,000 in 2024. The arts industry's i-Saraan contributions exceeded RM23 million, involving 3,900 workers, with collected savings amounting to RM231 million.