The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) is in need of a complete overhaul on how it manages its funds, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said.

He said there had been complaints that some filmmakers who received funding from Finas but did not complete their projects, while others complained that the funding received was insufficient, in addition to other problems.

“We have a system now that appears to be incapable of ensuring that all funds are properly used and are fully (utilised).

“I hear Finas. I understand their problems. But at the same time, I’ve also spoken to many people from the industry who have their concerns,” Gobind told reporters today after a visit to Finas’ office in Petaling Jaya.

His visit comes nearly a week after he announced that the MACC is investigating several allegedly questionable allocations made by Finas in 2017.

Asked for updates on the matter, Gobind said he can only reveal that he had been informed by the MACC that statements had been recorded for its investigation. Other information would have to be announced by the MACC due to the risk of jeopardising the ongoing investigation.

Gobind said he had directed Finas to prepare a report on its funding within two weeks, including a study of how Finas’ counterparts abroad handle its funding.

He said he had also told Finas to list the recipients of its funding who had received international awards, as well as those who could not complete the projects for which they had been funded.

He wants a meeting to be held between these two groups of stakeholders and Finas to discuss how Finas can better manage its funds and allocations. The meeting is likely to be held after the coming parliamentary session, he said.

The first session of the new Dewan Rakyat will run from July 16 to Aug 16, while the Dewan Negara is to sit from July 17 to Sept 13.

Asked on the issue of film censorship, Gobind said he will deal with the Film Censorship Board at a separate meeting, and that this matter was not raised in today’s meeting with Finas.