Bollywood dreams: TV, streaming content mulled to boost Ipoh's 'creative city' status
IPOH: The Ipoh City Council plans to set up a television station to expand its creative city status, says mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.

He said the council will be working with prominent entertainment personality Datuk Afdlin Shauki, whose company recently obtained a television licence.

Rumaizi said the station could be like “Seri Pentas”, but the concept would be more of a streaming space like Netflix.

“Since the council has taken over the Pincer MBI Studio, we hope to revive this industry.

“Digital television is the future, and I hope to see these ideas falling into place within five years, “ he told a press conference after the council’s full board meeting on Thursday (April 25).

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On Nov 1, Ipoh joined Unesco’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

It was reported that the Perak government, with Federal Government support via the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, had prepared a dossier and submitted Ipoh as a City of Music candidate to Unesco in August.

Rumaizi said as he had mentioned before, he had a vision to see Ipoh becoming like Bollywood in Mumbai, India.

“We must not think about Bollywood in the 70s or 80s. The place is now a hub for the creative economy.

“For Asia, Bollywood is the top, but it took them between 60 and 70 years to be where the industry is now.

“So of course when Ipoh starts this idea and concept, we cannot expect to be like Bollywood the following year,” he added.

Rumaizi said he wanted to see Ipoh becoming a cultural city just like Mumbai.

“When we go to Mumbai the whole concept of a creative city inclusive of music, film, dance, and gastronomy is available with the use of high-end technology,” he added.
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IPOH: The Ipoh City Council plans to set up a television station to expand its creative city status, says mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.