Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim receiving doctorate from Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali

CYBERJAYA (July 31, 2010): A working paper on the National Creative Industry Policy will be tabled to the cabinet before the year end, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said.
 
He said that the ministry at the moment was obtaining feedback from various parties including the public, private sector, non-governmental organisations and key players of the industry.
 
"If it is approved, we will have an easy-to-follow guideline which will benefit the industry and the related economic sector as well as promote talent among the society," he told reporters here today.
 
Earlier, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the Multimedia University (MMU) presented by MMU chancellor Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at the university's 11th convocation.
 
Rais said the policy would also touch on the elements of arts in school because arts should not be neglected irrespective of whether a student was in arts or science stream.

"Major imbalances occur when art elements in science stream, for example, are neglected. The better marriage will be to have a little bit of art elements in whatever discipline so that we do not lose our identity," he said.
 
Rais said film and animation should also incorporate the elements of Malaysia's multicultural people.
 
"Do you know why Hollywood is so near to so many people? It's because they know how to tell stories, about what life is in America, and the multifarious injections of social ideas that they have... it's about time that we think about this," he said.
 
On the doctorate, Rais said it was a recognition of the ministry's roles in promoting the nation's identity through arts and culture.
 
The MMU also conferred the Honorary Doctorate of Science to Taylor's University College president and vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Hassan Said, who is a former Higher Education Ministry secretary-general. -- Bernama