Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s creative industry reached a new milestone with the official registration of the Pertubuhan Gabungan Persatuan Kreatif Sabah (Kreatif Sabah) with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
The formation was driven by a collective initiative involving nine local arts and creative associations.
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The coalition aims to strengthen the state’s creative industry ecosystem through structured collaboration.
The founding committee comprises the Sabah Film and Visual Association (Safva), Sabah Local Artists Association (Pertisa), Sabah Nasheed Artists, Lyricists and Composers Association (Kopan), and Kinabalu Orchestra Club Sabah (KOKiS).
It also includes the Sabah Creative and Innovation Movement Association (SCREIMO), Sabah Screen Talent Association (SST), Sabah Arts, Talent and Creativity Association (PBSKS), Sabah Garden Lovers Association (S3C), and Sabah Street Artists Community Association (SBC).
Pro-tem Chairman Chester Pang said the formation marks a significant achievement for industry practitioners after more than a decade of efforts led by senior figures in the sector.
He said the timing is appropriate and welcomed the establishment of a creative arts portfolio under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSPACE), led by Datuk Haji Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.
Pang said Kreatif Sabah is ready to act as a strategic partner to MYSPACE in advancing the state’s creative economy agenda.
He said the coalition functions in a similar role to cultural councils in other states as a key support structure for the creative community.
He added it will serve as a coordinating body to support policy formulation and implementation aligned with industry needs.
Pang said Sabah currently lacks a clear creative and arts policy framework compared to other states in Malaysia.
He said this makes the coalition a formal voice for the local creative community.
He added that the formation will enable collaboration with arts and cultural associations, creative institutions, and relevant state and federal agencies.
He also said Sabah’s geographical position supports creative linkages through logistics, diplomacy and international cultural exchange, strengthened by its tourism branding under Sabah and Borneo.
KS will prepare a memorandum to be submitted to the Sabah Government and relevant federal agencies.
The document will serve as a reference representing the views of industry practitioners.
The coalition has set its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) for July 18, this year.
It has also invited creative associations across Sabah to join in strengthening the industry’s collective voice.
