PETALING JAYA, Nov 8 — The local film and television industry is in dire straits. Producers and industry workers are accorded little protection by law, and payment rates by broadcasters — namely Astro and Media Prima — have been stagnant for 20 years.

These are among the grouses put forward in the Switch Off ’14 campaign spearheaded by the Federation of Screen Guild Malaysia (Gafim).

The campaign was launched on October 21. Viewers are encouraged to switch off their televisions on Tuesday from 8pm to 11pm in support of the campaign.

“The main issue is the eco-system of the industry,” said Gafim president Jurey Latiff Rosli.

“Payment for television content varies, but it’s still low. Over the last 20 years, cost of living has increased dramatically. How can you shoot a programme on the same budget as you did 20 years ago?”

Jurey said part of the problem was the handling of intellectual property rights and royalties. When a television programme is sold to the broadcaster, all rights are surrendered to them.

“There are no royalties for the programme’s creators, producers or actors,” he said.

The campaign will culminate in a solidarity event on Tuesday at the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), where a memorandum listing 11 demands will be handed to the Communication and Multimedia Ministry through Finas.

“We want to show that we are united and for us to be heard. It’s not a demonstration,” he stressed.

“Even the term ‘memorandum of demands’ is inaccurate. We want to start a conversation. We hope to initiate discussions and resolve these grievances.”

Jurey said the government has been supportive of the industry with the initiatives currently in place, but more could be done.

“Perhaps not all the points can be met, but we hope to address and resolve most of them.”

Jurey said support for the campaign was encouraging.

“Around 500 people turned up for the launch and press conference on Oct 21. We expect around 1,000 on Tuesday,” he said.

Among those supporting the campaign is the Malaysian Association of Commercial Film Producers (PPFIM). Its president, Khoo Kay Lye, said even commercial producers felt  urgent action was required to save the industry.

“We are fighting for survival,” he said.

“We’ve tried asking Finas for help countless times.”

Khoo said some of the frustration was directed at the inconsistent enforcement of Finas policies.

“Is the Made in Malaysia (MIM) policy still in effect? Nobody knows. If it is, why isn’t it enforced?” he said.

The policy stipulates that 70 per cent of commercials must be locally made and certified by Finas before a commercial goes on air.

Khoo said the fact that television channels broadcast a multitude of foreign commercials showed double standards existed.

Worse still, Khoo said television stations were cutting into the whole pie by making deals with advertising clients and producing their own commercials.

“Television stations are playing games. They have the resources and equipment and are stealing our jobs,” he said.

“We need an Act that ensures television stations cannot and do not monopolise the industry.”

Khoo said the campaign was historic as filmmakers were coming together for a common cause.

“We’re competitors, but we’re putting our differences aside and for the first time, standing together for our concerns to be heard.”

Testament to the momentum the campaign has gathered, Finas director-general Kamil Ahmad Mohd Othman — who was  appointed on November 1 — is expected to join the solidarity event.

Khoo said this was a positive step as it showed Finas was willing to work together.

“I feel there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”