A TOTAL of RM247,000 from the Arts Activist Welfare Fund has been utilised for 47 arts activists from various races since it was set up this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
Deputy Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin Dennis D’Cruz said the setting up of the fund reflected the government’s concern for arts activists in the country.
He said the fund was set up to replace the Artist Protection Scheme, which was introduced in 2008.
As of Dec 10 last year, 47 arts activists had benefited from the fund and out of the amount spent, five per cent was given to Indian artists, the Chinese artists, three per cent, and one per cent to other races, he said in response to a supplementary question from Fong Kui Lun (DAP-Bukit Bintang) who wanted to know how much of the fund was given to non-Malay artists.
D’Cruz said the fund, which was given an allocation of RM3 million, was to provide aid not only to veteran artists, but also the sick and poor who were involved in the industry, like actors/actresses, comedians, singers, artists, writers, musicians and mak yong activists. — Bernama