From developing your story idea to getting your drama to air on TV, the film industry is a long, difficult process and includes the cooperation of everyone involved. However, there are some who pose a threat when it comes to financing the dramas, especially for producers.
The member of the Board of Directors of the Malaysia Film Producers Cooperative Berhad (Kopelem), Datuk Normashayu Puteh, disclosed that some producers resorted to borrowing money from loan sharks to complete a drama. The producer, commonly known as Datuk Ayu Puteh, stated that the issue was due to bank authorities imposing inappropriate conditions for local producers to take loans.
“It can’t be denied that there are producers who have to borrow from loan sharks (Ah long) when they need to complete a drama according to the letter of offer (LO) provided by the television station. When the LO is out, producers have to wrap up the drama within the time frame set by the station,” said Datuk Ayu Puteh during the opening ceremony of Kopelem at the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) in Hulu Klang.
Having said that, Ayu reassured that producers would no longer be faced with this issue as the ministry has approved the financing loan facility through the cooperative as announced by the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development, Tan Sri Noh Omar.
With the aim of helping the members easily get loans without restrictive conditions, Ayu encourages producers to join Kopelem in order to gain the benefits to complete their projects with loan facilities. Other opportunities are provided including government funding.
The producer had also expressed her gratitude as the five-year effort to establish Kopelem had turned out successful.
Sources: Beautifulnara, Malaysiakini
Neetashini Kanendran contributed to this article
