KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) has sued 47 individuals and production companies for not delivering any films from the RM20 million that has been granted to them.

Malaysia daily Utusan Malaysia quoted its chief executive Md Nasir Ibrahim, who said the actions were taken based on the audit involving grants between 2013 and 2017.

"Based on the audit report we received, all the recipients of the grant failed to produce the film as agreed,” he was quoted as saying.

"Therefore, Finas, through corrective actions and curbing misappropriation, sued all 47 companies and individuals involved. If the action is ignored, the individuals and companies involved will be declared bankrupt.”

According to Md Nasir, Finas had urged them to repay the funds taken through warning letters but to no avail, with some even blaming Finas for being inhumane by taking legal action against them.

He added that Finas aims to recover the funds that were granted but were "wasted” in order to restore its reputation, in addition to addressing the weaknesses that allowed the film funds to be misappropriated.

Following that, Md Nasir said that Finas has tightened the process of granting funds to production companies or individuals who plan to make films this year.

"Finas will also go to the ground to witness the filming process carried out by the recipients to ensure that there is no misappropriation,” he reportedly said.

In addition, he said Finas would also improve the selection process of the fund recipients.

"This year we appointed 30 select panellists consisting of academics, film and drama industry players including screenwriters, directors, and others to facilitate the process,” he said, referring to the selection process of fund recipients.