PUTRAJAYA, March 3 — The Communications and Digital Ministry said today it will be scrutinising the National Film Development Corp (Finas) Act and the issue of royalties for musicians.

Its minister Fahmi Fadzil said that he met with the chief executive officer of Finas and it was found that the Act may require amendments.

"We found that the Finas Act itself may need amendments because there are constraints that may require improvements and this was among what was discussed,” he said at a press conference at his ministry in Putrajaya this afternoon.

Films, as a medium, have changed a lot since then, he admitted.

"The Act was amended many years back so many of the issues that arise in the Act, when confronted with the reality of the film industry now, it is very different,” he said.

An example he gave was that those sitting on Finas’ board of directors as well as their family members were barred from receiving Finas grants due to the Act.

Those sitting on the Finas’ board of directors also tend to be veterans of the industry, which means that they have to take a sabbatical to fulfil their roles in Finas, he explained.

This could also affect the direction that Finas is being steered in and the development of the industry since those on its board of directors have been forced to be away from the industry, he added.

Finas has already brought him a draft of amendments, he said, but he has yet to present it to the Cabinet.

Besides that, his ministry will be collaborating with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in examining the issue of royalties received by musicians and their next-of-kin, including the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee.

"Next week, I will be meeting with the domestic trade and cost of living minister to form a committee which will examine the aspects involved in the payment of royalties and the development of the music industry,” he said, referring to Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.