{
  "id": 13926171,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: Faridah Merican welcomes entertainment duty exemption, urges wider arts support",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/showbiz-faridah-merican-welcomes-entertainment-duty-exemption-urges",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T10:00:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/10/1553819/showbiz-faridah-merican-welcomes-entertainment-duty-exemption"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent Budget 2027 announcement has received praise from the creative industry, as local film and theatre tickets in the Federal Territories will be exempt from entertainment duty. Veteran theatre practitioner Datuk Dr Faridah Merican, co-founder and executive producer of the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) and The Actors Studio, welcomed the decision but stressed that tax relief alone is insufficient to address the broader challenges faced by arts organisations. Faridah called for a more inclusive framework that takes into account various art forms, venue structures, and industry players, as well as a comprehensive approach to audience development, content creation, talent development, and infrastructure. She highlighted that many arts organisations are overlooked for funding due to strict eligibility criteria, despite the limited number of grants available. Faridah stressed that supporting ticket sales should go hand-in-hand with funding venues that nurture creative talent. Budget 2027 also allocated over RM130 million to support the creative sector, including incentives for film and animation, as well as funding for projects promoting Malaysian culture and identity.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s decision to exempt local film and theatre tickets in the Federal Territories from entertainment duty has been welcomed as a positive step for the creative industry.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}