KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Zurainah Musa, who has just been removed as National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chairman has accepted her fate and chosen to fully support her successor.
In a statement today, Zurainah confirmed that she had received a letter announcing her removal as chairman from Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil on Friday.
"It is the prerogative of the minister under Section 4(2) of the Finas Act 1981 to appoint or remove the chairman and I fully accept this decision. I believe he has lots of new ideas and plans for the industry and I fully support him."
Zurainah added that her removal had nothing to do with alleged abuse of power and emphasised that the decision was made in discussion with the corporation's board of directors.
"I want to thank everyone in Finas for giving me their support throughout my term as chairman. I wish everyone all the best in their work and I'm prepared to assist my successor whenever possible."
Zurainah said she was confident that her successor would take Malaysian cinema to greater heights by getting more government assistance for filmmakers badly affected by the pandemic.
"Finas also needs to get financial institutions to help provide better financing for the creative industry so that we need not depend on the government.
"In addition, we must get better pay for film production crew members and social security protection too."
Zurainah also said that Malaysia should emulate Thailand's efforts in promoting itself as a film tourism destination, and this meant that the Central Agency for the Application of Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) needed to be upgraded, with help from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC).
"It is my sincere belief that Finas will do what is best for the film industry and I wish them all the best."
Zurainah, who was appointed Finas chairman in June, was terminated from her post effective Friday.
This was confirmed by Finas chief executive officer Professor Dr Md Nasir Ibrahim.