Much like Mumbai in India, Ipoh has great potential to become an artistic and creative city, especially as a centre for film companies. This target and hope was voiced by the mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin @ Md Daud, who believes that the city can become a focal point in the creative arts, like Bollywood.
To that end, he said his party had already planned out a strategy and was moving towards achieving that target, especially in terms of providing the latest infrastructure.
“We in Ipoh will focus on being the tourism, creative and art city. It was only set in motion last January.
“Don’t be surprised that one day, in my view, Ipoh will be like Mumbai, which is famous for its Bollywood moniker.
“Or Shanghai, which is also famous. We will move in that direction. For Ipoh’s cultural economy to be the champion at the national level; it is not impossible if our efforts are correct that we can go all the way to the Southeast Asia level,” he said.
He said this during a special press conference on the Ceremony to Appreciate the Services of Malaysian Heroes and the Screening of Juang Films on Thursday.
Also present were the Chief Executive Officer of Pincer MBI Studio Sdn Bhd, Kah Fee Yee and one of the Producers of Juang Films, Allyan Too.
Meanwhile, when asked if his party will cooperate with other local authorities (PBT) to realise the wish, Rumaizi said it was already in the works.
“That is indeed in our planning, collaboration with PBT and other states, but the most basic thing is to develop the infrastructure.
“That’s why apart from the studio infrastructure, we have already developed 5G technology.
“I expect that in the near future, we will not only be limited to doing works within the country, but also abroad. Similar to China, who previously came to film in our interesting locations here,” he added.
by Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
