Perak: The Perak government is reinforcing its commitment to the creative industry by channeling RM393,000 through the Dana Kreatif Perak@PORT (DKP) for the 2025/2026 edition.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad announced the allocation, which marks the eighth year of implementation for DKP, covering three main categories: Visual Arts (RM196,000), Music (RM138,000), and Performing Arts (RM59,000). A total of 221 applications were received, with 123 approved, during the application period from December 2025 to January 2026. Since its inception in 2019, DKP@PORT has distributed RM1.822 million, demonstrating the state government's ongoing dedication to the creative sector in Perak.
The announcement was made during the DKP@PORT 2025/2026 presentation ceremony at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building, attended by PORT chairman Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah and its general manager Nur Hanim Mohamed Khairuddin. The fund aims to support artists and enhance the creative industry ecosystem while providing a platform for local talents to gain wider recognition.
Saarani highlighted that the Dana Kreatif Perak, launched in 2019, serves as a crucial initiative to financially assist local artists in executing projects and programs centered around arts, culture, and creative content. The primary goal of DKP is to sustain artistic practices in visual, music, and performing arts, empowering local talents to compete on national and international stages.
Nur Hanim elaborated that each application underwent a comprehensive evaluation by an advisory panel, which includes Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Dr. Shafa'atussara Silahudin, audio-visual and film expert Azharul Azmir Kamarulzaman, and National Art Gallery senior curator Baktiar Naim Jaaffar. Projects under DKP include album recordings, visual art exhibitions, workshops, short film and documentary productions, music video and comic publishing, and various community programs beyond the Kinta Valley.
Notably, several DKP-backed projects have achieved significant success, such as the deVokalis choir team from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), which garnered multiple awards at the Medan World Choral Festival 2025 in Indonesia, bringing pride to both the nation and the state.