KUALA LUMPUR: The contributions and sacrifices of the earlier generation who shaped the nation’s arts industry continue to be recognised, with 20 veteran artistes receiving cash contributions from Persatuan Seniman Malaysia (Seniman) last Sunday.
Presented during the Rentak Budaya (Cultural Rhythm) programme, the initiative was jointly spearheaded by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) and Seniman.
Among the veteran artistes honoured were Abon, Zaiton Sameon, Ebby Saiful, Yank Kassim, Shahriza Mahmud, Rahim Kidol, and Norly Tamam.
Seniman president Zed Zaidi said the ongoing effort aims to reach out to and honour arts practitioners—particularly veterans—who have laid the groundwork for the country’s entertainment industry.
He added that Rentak Budaya serves as a dynamic platform to showcase arts, culture, and entertainment, while fostering unity and care within the creative community.
“Veteran artistes are among those who built and enriched our nation’s arts industry over the years. While this contribution may be modest, what matters more is the message that their service and sacrifices are deeply valued and have not been forgotten,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac highlighted that Finas continues to run the Veteran Artistes Supertelefilm Fund (STAR) under the Creative Content Fund (DKD).
The programme aims to unlock fresh employment opportunities for creative practitioners aged 55 and above, offering veteran talent main or major supporting roles in super-telefilm productions.
“One of the key criteria for the STAR Fund is that 60 per cent of the workforce for each production must consist of veteran artistes and crew, while the remaining 40 per cent comprises younger or general personnel,” he said.
The three-day festival, held from Oct 30 to Nov 1, brought together artistes, cultural practitioners, and the public through a lively lineup of activities across two iconic venues: Padang Merbok and the River of Life near Masjid Jamek.
Organised alongside strategic partners including Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard industry welfare, bridge the gap between local talent and the public, and ensure the legacy of Malaysia’s showbiz pioneers lives on.