Deputy minister announces nationwide rollout of vocal and acting workshops for persons with disabilities to uncover new talent.

KUALA LUMPUR: A pioneering creative workshop for persons with disabilities is set for a nationwide expansion.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the Basic Vocal and Acting Workshop for PwD will be rolled out to other states to provide opportunities and uncover new talent. She said the debut workshop, organised by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) with Persatuan Seni Warisan Artistik Digital Malaysia, focused on vocal training and radio drama recording.

“This is an important first step, and I believe it won’t be the last,” Teo said at the workshop’s closing ceremony. She confirmed FINAS will select suitable locations across the northern, southern, and eastern zones, as well as Sabah and Sarawak, to run the programme again.

Teo said the initiative demonstrates the creative industry is becoming more inclusive. She stated it supports greater PwD participation, aligning with the MADANI Government’s goal of developing creative talent through data-driven planning and targeted investment.

She revealed FINAS held 18 courses and workshops worth RM1 million for 3,353 participants in 2025. The agency also conducted 18 community film and youth workshops valued at RM900,000 for 540 participants.

For this year, 13 main workshops with RM1 million in funding will host at least 1,900 participants. A further 80 nationwide community film and youth workshops are targeting 2,700 participants.

“I see this community as rich in talent but lacking space and opportunities,” Teo said. She emphasised that true inclusivity begins with full access to learning, including PwD-friendly facilities supported by FINAS and the MyCreative Ventures programme.

Teo also told reporters that talks with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will explore using the trained talent for radio drama productions.

 The Sun Malaysia