NEW APPOINTMENT: Rais (second left) presents letter of appointment to a new board of director Tan Sri Ahmad Othman Merican at the Aswara gathering. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Information Communication and Culture Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim yesterday proposed for the National Academy of Arts Culture and Heritage (Aswara) to turn animation into its main industry as it could make a big contribution to the country’s economy.
Rais said the Aswara’s Faculty of Creative Writing could produce interesting storylines in animation for commercialisation.
“We have to create more animated series or film like ‘Upin dan Ipin’ which had been well accepted by the people in the country, as well as in Jakarta and Dubai … maybe we can have the story of Hang Tuah in animation,” he said at a gathering with Aswara staff, lecturers and students yesterday.
When asked the best recipe for the animation series, Rais said: “The best story will be about three good friends, comprising a Malay, a Chinese and an Indian. It doesn’t matter if it’s a love story or a conflict but it must end with something good.”
To achieve that aspiration, the minister said the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would be able to help Aswara by providing recording studio facilities.
“MCMC has been helping Aswara before and they can help more by providing great instruments, so that the students here can sing the soundtracks for the animated programme.
“I’m sure we can achieve this and make profits from the animated series or film. What’s important now is to get good storylines,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rais also called on Aswara students to bring Malaysia’s arts culture to greater heights, stressing that the industry was also the goldmine that could boost the country’s economy.
“Arts culture can bring the multi-racial people in this country together. Therefore, each lecturer must inculcate the spirit of love for arts among their students,” he said.
During the event, Rais also presented the certificate to 78 Aswara students who won in 20 national-level cultural competitions this year.
He also presented the letters of appointment to seven new members of Aswara board of directors and hampers to Aswara lecturers who would be celebrating Christmas. — Bernama