AGP Executive Report

Production & Gaming: Fox is setting up a Malaysian production hub for Extracted, while Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is expanding ties with local creative businesses and homegrown IP such as Ejen Ali. Local Screen Industry: Malaysian film viewership doubled to 14.83 million in 2025. Budget 2027 also removes entertainment duty on local films and theatre in the Federal Territories, a move intended to support local productions. Censorship Debate: The ban on Robert Pattinson thriller Primetime has drawn criticism from creative-industry voices, who warn it could harm Malaysia’s creative economy. Music & Film: Malaysian group Drum Up has been invited to perform at a Taiwan music festival, while FFM35 at Istana Budaya is introducing a new judging format.

Malaysian Film: Local-film viewership more than doubled in 2025 to 14.83 million, with box-office takings reaching RM247.95 million. FFM35 is introducing judging by past winners, and its Best Film winner will receive RM1 million for a new project. Creative Economy: FINAS wants producers to use public funding to make films with international reach. A full entertainment-duty exemption for local films in the Federal Territories is also expected to leave producers with more ticket revenue. In an opinion piece, a scholar argued that the unexplained ban on A24’s Primetime sends a damaging message to investors. Pageant: Malaysia’s representative advanced to the Top 25 at Miss Grand International 2026 in Bangkok. Digital Entertainment: Mobile Legends is helping open career paths for young Malaysians in content creation, production and esports. Junior Sport: Malaysia’s team won silver at the World Junior Team Championships, pushing China to a deciding match in the final.

Film Industry: FINAS is urging producers to use the Creative Content Fund to make work for international markets and build lasting revenue, rather than relying mainly on local audiences and government aid. Local Cinema: A full entertainment-duty exemption on local film tickets in the Federal Territories is expected to leave producers with a bigger share of ticket sales and support more production. Gaming & Digital Entertainment: At MLBB’s 10th anniversary, MOONTON said the game is helping young Malaysians find careers in content creation, production and digital marketing, as well as esports. Creative Heritage: FINAS is also continuing efforts to secure P. Ramlee’s works for preservation, while the ASEAN Artpreneur Retreat brought regional creative talent together earlier this week.

Cinema: Budget 2027 removes entertainment duty on local films and theatre in the Federal Territories, with Fahmi Fadzil urging cinemas to pass the savings on through cheaper tickets. Gaming & Live Shows: Kuching’s MLBB 10th-anniversary carnival runs through Oct 11, pairing esports and live music with a student art exhibition and family activities. On Stage: A Malaysian production of Turandot is bringing young Chinese singers to the opera. Industry Support: FINAS is studying residual payments and revenue-sharing for actors, while the government says funding is helping grow Malaysia’s creative industry. Coming to Kuala Lumpur: DAY6’s Young K will bring his solo “YOUNGEST” tour to the city in March 2027. Film Censorship: Robert Pattinson’s Primetime has been banned from Malaysian cinemas ahead of release, with no official reason given.

Creative Industry: FINAS says government funding is supporting local creative growth and is studying residual payments and revenue-sharing for actors. Film: Robert Pattinson’s “Primetime” has been barred from Malaysian cinemas, with no official reason given. Opera: A Malaysian production of “Turandot” is bringing young Chinese singers into the spotlight a century after the opera’s debut. Fashion: Malaysian model Atikah Karim made her Chanel runway debut at Paris Fashion Week.

Live Performance: Twenty-five lion-dance troupes, including teams from Malaysia, will compete in Macau’s international championship this weekend. Film & TV: FINAS will study residual payments and revenue-sharing for actors, and is working to secure P. Ramlee’s works for preservation. Robert Pattinson’s film Primetime has been banned in Malaysia. Fashion: Malaysian model Atikah Karim made her Chanel Paris Fashion Week debut. Opera: Malaysia’s Turandot production is giving a new generation of Chinese singers a place on stage. Creative Industry: The ASEAN Artpreneur Retreat 2026 is connecting regional talent and supporting creative entrepreneurs.

Film & Television: Malaysia has banned Robert Pattinson’s thriller Primetime ahead of its cinema release, while FINAS is studying residual payments and revenue-sharing for actors. Music & Performance: A Malaysian production of Puccini’s Turandot is bringing young Chinese singers into the opera as it marks a century since its premiere; K-pop star Young K is also set to bring his solo tour to Kuala Lumpur in March 2027. Heritage & Fashion: FINAS says it is continuing efforts to secure P. Ramlee’s works for preservation, while Malaysian model Atikah Karim made her Chanel runway debut at Paris Fashion Week.

Film & Performance: FINAS will study whether actors should receive residual payments or revenue shares when Malaysian screen works are reused or sold to streaming platforms and overseas markets. Kuala Lumpur City Opera is also preparing a full production of Puccini’s Turandot — its first large-scale staging in Malaysia in 20 years. Creative Industry: The ASEAN Artpreneur Retreat is bringing regional creative talent together, while the government says funding is helping grow Malaysia’s creative sector. Fashion & Music: Malaysian model Atikah Karim made her Chanel runway debut at Paris Fashion Week, and DAY6’s Young K is bringing his solo tour to Kuala Lumpur in March 2027. Cinema: Robert Pattinson’s thriller Primetime has been banned in Malaysia ahead of its local release.

Cultural Showcase: Five UTHM students won over delegates from 42 countries in Germany with a Zapin Johor performance, despite having just a week to prepare. Creative Enterprise: The ASEAN Artpreneur Retreat has opened in Kuala Lumpur, bringing regional artists together for a 15-day programme on developing ideas into market-ready businesses. Film Heritage: FINAS is still negotiating with rights holders, including Singapore’s Shaw Brothers, to secure copies of P. Ramlee’s work for preservation. Music Industry: Karyawan called RIM’s request for public funding to promote Malaysian music overseas “contradictory” while royalty collection rules intended to benefit artistes are being challenged in court. Local Cinema: Robert Pattinson’s film Primetime has been banned in Malaysia, ruling out its planned local cinema release. Creative Sector Support: FINAS says government funding is driving growth in the local creative industry, as calls grow for stronger support for Malaysian artists and music.

Creative Entrepreneurship: MOTAC launched the ASEAN Artpreneur Retreat 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, a 15-day programme (Oct 5–19) to help creative entrepreneurs turn ideas into market-ready products through mentorship, product development and commercialisation. Film Industry Support: FINAS chairman Hans Isaac says government funding is lifting local feature-film quality and box-office performance, citing incentives like the Film in Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) cash rebate. Faith + Tech: PM Anwar Ibrahim urged Muslims to embrace AI and new technologies while staying rooted in faith, morals and heritage. Digital Public Services: MyGOV Malaysia is consolidating key government services into one app, including licence/road tax, JPJ checks, passports, clinic appointments and STR, with an AI Chat feature for guidance. Motorsport Spotlight: Malaysia’s hosting of the Gulf Air Bahrain GP at Sepang boosted the country’s international image, while F1’s chaotic start—linked to a software glitch and wet conditions—kept the spotlight on FIA and teams. Sports & Culture: The New Museum named artists for its 2027 Triennial “The Outside Expands,” adding another global arts moment to watch.

Film & Censorship: Robert Pattinson’s psychological thriller Primetime has been banned in Malaysia, with distributor Antenna Entertainment and Golden Screen Cinemas confirming the release is cancelled—no clear reason given by the Film Censorship Board. Sports (Football): Harimau Malaya ended the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup campaign unbeaten and clean-sheeted, then beat Vietnam 1-0 in the third-place playoff via Fergus Tierney’s late substitute goal; interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe says he’s ready to continue if FAM wants him. Sports (Padel): Malaysia’s debut at padel in the Asian Games ended with a silver medal after losing the final to Qatar. Sports (F1 & Culture): After Bahrain GP chaos in Malaysia, F1’s Singapore round looms with grid penalties for George Russell; meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas is cycling from Sepang to Singapore for the next race. Arts/Tech (Gadgets): Apple’s rumored iPhone Duo concept points to a new one-handed navigation approach. Sports (Cycling): Langkawi may return to Le Tour de Langkawi next year, depending on costs.

Motorsport & Culture: F1’s Sepang return stayed in the headlines after Bahrain GP chaos, and now the spotlight shifts to Singapore with the Singapore GP sprint weekend schedule and viewing details, while Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas is literally biking from Malaysia to Singapore for the next race. Football: Harimau Malaya secured third place at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, beating Vietnam 1-0 via Fergus Tierney’s 62nd-minute strike, and PM Anwar reminded fans there’s no public holiday after the win. Sports & Youth: MOSTI will bring 300 scientists to 300 schools under the STI 100³ Year 2026 programme to boost STEM interest. Arts & Creative Industry: FINAS and the Insolvency Department launched free legal advisory and bankruptcy help for creative practitioners, plus a push for better contract literacy. Public Service & Tech: Budget 2027 talk includes AI and digitalisation in government services, while JPJ services via MYEG agents face a temporary suspension involving Zetrix AI. Community Support: KPWKM is expanding marriage counselling and conciliation as divorce cases rise.

F1 & Sepang Return: Max Verstappen grabbed Red Bull’s first 2026 win at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, but the weekend was overshadowed by software glitches, power failures and a rain-hit delay that left drivers furious and the FIA promising a full review. F1 Governance: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the sport will keep pushing for fairness in stewarding despite complaints about inconsistency. ASEAN Cup Football: Harimau Malaya edged Vietnam 1-0 in the third-place playoff, with Fergus Tierney scoring in the 62nd minute, while PM Anwar urged the team to give their best ahead of the match. Sports Development: NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin said emerging sports like e-sports and padel are opening new medal paths, and Malaysia is exploring wider options to boost future Games prospects. Creative Industry Support: FINAS and the Insolvency Department highlighted the “Second Chance Policy” to help artists with legal advice and bankruptcy support, stressing the need for proper employment contracts. STEM in Schools: MOSTI’s STI 100³ Year 2026 programme will bring 300 scientists into 300 schools to spark STEM interest. Environment & Safety: Kelantan JBPM warned Super El Nino could worsen open burning and reduce firefighting water sources, while Johor is reviewing rules for a dugong sanctuary to cut deaths from boat strikes.

F1 & Sepang Return: Max Verstappen won the rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang after a chaotic, software-bug start left cars losing power and the race delayed by over 90 minutes; drivers called it “horrible” and “totally unacceptable,” while the FIA promised a full investigation into the glitch and formation-lap stoppages. PM Anwar & Royal Presence: Anwar hailed the Sepang race as a “meaningful memory” for global sports fans and joined leaders and royals at the circuit as F1 returned after nine years. Local Fan & Trade Boost: The comeback also brought big crowds and local business momentum, including Citrawarna Speed Festival’s Lamborghini convoy and a Karnival Litar Rasa MADANI food carnival for traders at SIC. Sports Spotlight (Malaysia): Malaysia ended the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with nine gold medals; Anwar congratulated the contingent, while Amirul Zazwan celebrated ending a 36-year regu gold wait. Humanitarian & Community: MAPIM launched a Gaza Winter Aid Campaign 2026 targeting RM5 million for food, warm clothing, medicines, tents and clean water. Film/Entertainment: Benjamin Kheng said his first character reference for the mockumentary film The Sandbox was local performer Steven Lim.

F1 in Sepang: Max Verstappen finally took his first win of the 2026 season in a rain-hit, farcically delayed Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang after a 93-minute postponement and chaotic wet-track starts. Royal & diplomacy spotlight: The return of F1 drew major VIP presence, including Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim and the Sultan of Brunei, while PM Anwar said Malaysia is even discussing hosting F1 again. Title heartbreak: George Russell called his retirement “beyond disappointment” after a late power-unit failure crushed his championship hopes. Local culture & economy: The F1 comeback also powered on-the-ground spending, with Karnival Litar Rasa MADANI bringing traders to the circuit. Health & wellness: A Gut Health Conference (Oct 11) will focus on digestive wellness and its links to mental health and chronic conditions. Women’s health push: A Madani Health Carnival urged regular breast cancer screening, citing late-stage diagnoses as a key concern. Sports development: Malaysia’s NSC says gaps in athletics, archery, swimming and shooting at the Asian Games need a planning reset ahead of future meets.

F1 in Malaysia (Bahrain GP): Max Verstappen grabbed pole at Sepang for the “Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia” after the Gulf race was shifted due to West Asia conflict, with Lewis Hamilton starting alongside him and the race set for Sunday. SIC crowd help: Sepang International Circuit CEO Azhan Shafriman stepped in to manage shuttle-bus congestion and hand out water after fans reported long waits and fainting. Asian Games heartbreak for Malaysia: The Speedy Tigers fell 1-5 to India in men’s hockey, with coach Brendon Carolan pointing to defensive errors during penalty corners. Sports milestone: Qatar won the first-ever Asian Games men’s padel gold, beating Malaysia in the final. Arts & culture spotlight: Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026’s “Colours of Parade” drew 1,500 performers with multi-heritage music, dance and community displays at Putrajaya-level attendance. Youth & STEM push: MOSTI ran an F1-themed Mini Carnival at the National Planetarium to explain the science behind acceleration for younger audiences.