LETTER | We refer to the Malaysiakini article Tabik Kepada Ellie Suriati and would like to point out that the information about Cendana is not factually correct.

“Projek Cendana” was mentioned numerous times throughout the article but we are not a project nor a short-term campaign.

“Van Goh, Baudelaire atau Isaac tidak perlu kiss ass untuk mendapat Projek Cendana. Kerja seni mereka kukuh. Mereka berbakat bukan pembodek untuk mendapat Projek Cendana.”

Cendana’s activities or funding programmes can only be approved or executed after being further discussed and evaluated by industry advisors. The notion of apple-polishing to get a personal advantage is highly misleading.

“Tony Pua kini pemilik Projek Cendana”

Cendana is supported by the Malaysian government and reports to the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia. The company is led by Izan Satrina.

“Hampir lupa - Projek Cendana ialah dana beratus juta ringgit yang ditabur oleh Najib sebelum PRU14.”

The government has allocated RM20 million, not “beratus juta” as claimed by the article. Read more here.

“Ini bertujuan untuk memancing para seniman, para pelukis, para pelakon”

“Projek Cendana ialah projek Najib mencari undi dari kaki bodek yang tidak berbakat.”

The above is not a fair representation of the local artists who are trying very hard to showcase the richness and talents of Malaysian arts and culture. You may understand the beneficiaries and projects we funded through this link.

Since our establishment in Sept 2017, Cendana has funded more than 40 talented artists through our sponsorship programmes in a bid to support their journey in the arts and some of them have even made it to the international stage.

The writer is attached to the Cultural Economy Development Agency (Cendana) which promotes a vibrant, sustainable and ambitious cultural economy for Malaysia.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.