Govt mulls residual payments for actors when productions are reused

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil is exploring the possibility of introducing residual payments or revenue sharing for Malaysian actors in order to ensure they benefit financially when their performances continue to generate commercial revenues. The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) will conduct a feasibility study to determine the suitability of implementing such a mechanism through law amendments, industry guidelines, or standard contracts.

Fahmi addressed this proposal in response to an inquiry from MP Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam), who questioned whether the government intended to introduce a residual payment or rerun royalty mechanism for actors. He noted that in countries like the United States, residual payments are typically negotiated collectively between actors' unions and producers' associations, and are often calculated as a percentage of the distributor's gross receipts.

In Malaysia, the Copyright Act 1987 grants certain rights to performers, but there is currently no specific provision for residual payments in the audiovisual sector. Finas will collaborate with the Ministry of Trade and Consumer Protection, as well as the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia, in the review process, taking into account the perspectives of various stakeholders including actors' associations and producer bodies.