KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Film and Visual Association (SAFVA) has raised critical legal concerns over Borneo.TV’s operations, despite welcoming the state-backed platform’s aim to promote local talent.
SAFVA Legal Advisor Yong Yit Jee questioned whether income from Sabah-made content is being fairly channeled back to the state, given that Borneo.TV is owned by a Peninsular-based company.
“We want transparency on how revenue is allocated .Sabah’s creative output must benefit Sabah,” he said.
He also called for clear protection of local artists’ intellectual property and royalties.
“There must be explicit terms ensuring Sabah talents receive fair compensation and retain rights over their work.”
Yong warned that IB Media Consultant Works Sdn Bhd, which operates Borneo.TV, must confirm its broadcasting licenses and compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (PDPA).
“Without proper licensing, all parties involved risk legal exposure. The same applies if PDPA compliance is not met,” he stressed.
SAFVA further emphasized the need for consent from indigenous communities before featuring cultural content. “Free, Prior, and Informed Consent is non-negotiable when indigenous identity is involved,” he said.
The association is also calling for the public release of the agreement between the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Secretariat and IB Media, urging full transparency.
“We need to see if this deal truly protects local creatives,” Yong said, adding that SAFVA seeks a joint dialogue with SMJ, IB Media, and other stakeholders to address these concerns constructively.
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