Malaysia has unveiled a US$22 million international creative content collaboration at KL20@Johor 2026, as the government pushes to move the country’s creative sector beyond production work towards greater ownership of intellectual property, brands and other high-value assets.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the collaboration, led by OMG Studios with Australia’s Sandpiper Entertainment, Korea’s Green Fish Studio and other regional partners, will develop and produce content over the next two years.
The programme comprises a US$10 million Malaysia-Australia film and television slate and a US$12 million Malaysia-Korea feature-film slate, creating opportunities for Malaysian talent, studios, vendors and IP owners to participate in international productions and build longer-term capabilities.
Akmal Nasrullah said Malaysia’s next phase of growth would increasingly depend on its ability to turn ideas and talent into economic value, with the “Orange Economy” identified under the 13th Malaysia Plan as a new source of growth. The sector spans film, television, animation, gaming, music, design, visual effects, virtual production, digital content and creative technology.
Malaysia’s cultural and creative industry contributed 6.8% to gross domestic product and RM130.7 billion in gross value added in 2024, while exports of cultural and creative products reached RM63 billion and the industry supported 763,100 jobs.
Akmal Nasrullah said the priority is now to build a stronger end-to-end ecosystem that allows Malaysian companies to retain and commercialise IP, access financing and expand into international markets rather than merely contributing to parts of overseas productions.
Johor is expected to play a key role in that strategy, supported by its proximity to Singapore, industrial and digital infrastructure, regional connectivity and Iskandar Malaysia Studios. The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone could further connect Malaysian creative companies with capital, production networks, technology partners and global buyers.
KL20@Johor is also targeting emerging talent through its 36-hour Game Jam and Screen Jam programmes, with top teams gaining potential pathways to FINAS funding and the wider games ecosystem through LEVEL UP KL.
Akmal Nasrullah said the success of the initiative should ultimately be measured by the projects developed, investments secured, markets entered and Malaysian intellectual property successfully commercialised.
