Perak Channels RM393,000 To Boost Creative Industry Through DKP

IPOH, April 8 (Bernama) -- The Perak government is continuing to strengthen the development of the creative industry by allocating RM393,000 through the Dana Kreatif Perak@PORT (DKP) for the 2025/2026 edition.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said in its eighth year of implementation, the DKP allocation covers three main categories, namely Visual Arts (RM196,000), Music (RM138,000) and Performing Arts (RM59,000).

“For this edition, a total of 221 applications were received, with 123 approved involving an allocation of RM393,000 following the application period from December 2025 to January 2026.

“Since its introduction from 2019 to 2025, DKP@PORT has channelled a total allocation of RM1.822 million, reflecting the state government’s continued commitment to developing the creative industry in Perak,” he said.

He said this at a press conference during the DKP@PORT 2025/2026 presentation ceremony at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building, which was also attended by PORT chairman Datuk Khairudin Abu Hanipah and its general manager Nur Hanim Mohamed Khairuddin.

Saarani said the fund is part of ongoing efforts to support artistes and strengthen the creative industry ecosystem, while showcasing local talents on a broader platform.

“The Dana Kreatif Perak, introduced in 2019, is an important initiative in providing financial support to local artistes to carry out projects and programmes centred on arts, culture and creative content.

“The main objective of DKP is to support the sustainability of artistic practices among visual, music and modern as well as contemporary performing arts practitioners, while empowering local talents to compete at the national and international levels,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nur Hanim said each application underwent a thorough evaluation process by an advisory panel comprising Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Dr Shafa’atussara Silahudin, audio-visual and film expert Azharul Azmir Kamarulzaman, and National Art Gallery senior curator Baktiar Naim Jaaffar.

“Among the projects to be implemented are album recordings, visual art exhibitions, art and film workshops, short film and documentary productions, music video and comic publishing, as well as various community programmes outside the Kinta Valley.

“Several projects under DKP have also achieved notable success, including the deVokalis choir team from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), which won multiple awards at the Medan World Choral Festival 2025 in Indonesia, bringing pride to the nation and the state,” she said.

-- BERNAMA