Editor’s Note: This is a press release by President of Arts, Life Festival and Events Association (ALIFE), Rizal Kamal. It was emailed to all media organisations on December 16, 2021.
The Arts, Live Events and Festivals Association (ALIFE) which represents performing arts and live events industry in Malaysia including the actors, singers, performers, artists, event producers, promoters, performance art providers, service providers, venues, and all stakeholders in the industry urge government to reconsider the entertainment duty on ticketed performing arts and cultural stage performances with an audience.
Referring to the letter issued by the Selangor State Treasury dated 17 February 2021 (PWN.SEL.700-1/16/1(9)) entitled “PEMAKLUMAN KADAR BAHARU DUTI HIBURAN BAGI AKTIVITI KESENIAN ATAU PEMENTASAN ARTIS TEMPATAN DAN ARTIS LUAR NEGARA DI NEGERI SELANGOR” which lists a collection of 15% entertainment duty on all arts and stage performance by local artists and a collection of 25% entertainment duty on all arts and stage performance by international artists starting 1st January 2021, ALIFE would like to appeal for the following support of:
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“Entertainment tax for stage performances in Selangor had always been 5% or below over the years as the Selangor government understood the plight and workings of the industry. To increase it to 15% – 25% during the pandemic is unreasonable and will kill off all stage activities in the State.” – Rizal Kamal, President ALIFE.
ALIFE believes that the appeal is reasonable in light of the current state of recovery of the creative industry in Malaysia.
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The performing arts industry has suffered enormous losses and hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic shutdowns. According to the latest Malaysian Government statistics, the creative industry employed 859,900 people in 2019, all of whom are now struggling to make ends meet. It is our urgent wish that the Selangor Government provide support to the creative industry by providing the full waiver of entertainment duty with immediate effect in order to save the livelihoods of the arts community.
Supporting Associations
1. Arts, Live Festival and Events Association (ALIFE)
2. Industries Unite – Coalition of 115 trade associations
Performing Arts organisations and representatives:
1. Amelia Tan (ACX Productions)
2. Dr. Ann Lee (Playwright & Researcher)
3. The Actors Studio
4. ASLI (Persatuan Angkatan Seni Lakon Interaksi, KL & Selangor)
5. CineMata
6. Dama Asia
7. Instant Café Theatre
8. IMM Musicworks
9. Insight Visuals
10. Instant Café Theatre Company
11. Kakiseni
12. Kam Productions
13. Kimmy Kiew (Theatre Director)
14. KongsiKL
15. Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC)
16. LOL Asia
17. Lot’ng (theatrethreesixty)
18. My Dance Alliance
19. Oasis Productions
20. Panas Panas Theatre
21. Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac)
22. Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC)
23. PH7
The Malaysian Arts Industry Is Facing An Imminent Collapse
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93% Of Malaysian Artists Have Been Negatively Impacted By COVID-19. Here’s What You Can Do.
Cover image by Wan San Yip on Unsplash.
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