MELAKA, May 28 — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) has allocated RM25 million for cultural sector matching grants, as an encouragement initiative for industry players and stakeholders in the country, after the country entered the endemic phase of Covid-19.

National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) deputy director-general (Policy and Planning Sector), Mohd Amran Mohd Haris said that the grant was also earmarked to reactivate various cultural programmes more proactively, and applications could be made through Motac or the state JKKN.

"The issuance of cultural sector matching grants started last year, with a similar annual allocation of RM25 million.

"The grant allocation for this year was approved in the recent second series budget and it is open to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and those involved in the cultural sector,” he told Bernama here today.

He said thus far his department is in the process of collecting the grant applications, and the first committee meeting to consider the applications will be held in the near future.

He said that the grant distribution is expected to start this June, and those who want to apply for the grant are urged to do so immediately because the number of applications received is expected to be as high as last year.

In another development, Mohd Amran said more physical activities and programmes of art and culture will be implemented more actively, starting this year in 11 JKKN complexes nationwide.

He said that the move aims to provide opportunities and creative space for all industry players from every level, especially in the cultural and arts sector.

"As we all know at the end of 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic halted all art and culture activities around the world, and Malaysia was no exception, causing art and culture complexes under JKKN throughout the country to be affected.

"Thus, this step aims to renew awareness to appreciate art and culture physically face-to-face, as prior to this (during Covid-19), the activities carried out were limited and via online,” he said. — Bernama