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Calling on the Prime Minister: ReformARTsi's 5 Demands for a Thriving Malaysian Arts Scene
Published on 16/10/2025
The Malaysian arts and culture sector is at a crossroads. For years, advocates have pointed out significant gaps and obstacles holding back our creative community. On 25 September 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, a coalition of 179 Malaysian artists and representatives from 64 arts organisations — known as ReformARTsi issued a press release calling for a holistic approach to developing arts and culture.
Their message was clear: the arts can no longer afford to be held back by neglect, legacy bureaucratic approaches, and insufficient political will. They urged the Prime Minister and Cabinet to prioritise the arts in the national agenda and to recognise its role in nurturing a creative, progressive, and inclusive society.
Just two days later, on 27 September 2025, the movement took a major step forward. The ReformARTsi 2025 Town Hall, held at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) and streamed online, officially launched the ‘Seni Untuk Semua’ (Art for All) Petition Campaign.
The event marked a pivotal moment where a powerful coalition of artists formally presented their demands to the government, advocating for stronger policies in arts education, creative rights, freedom of expression, and financing for the arts.
The 5 Essential Calls to Action
To correct the government's course and cultivate a more robust artistic and cultural life for everyone in Malaysia, ReformARTsi has presented the following five demands:
- Design a 15-Year National Arts & Culture Blueprint: ReformARTsi insists on forming a taskforce where artists and culture workers co-lead and make up the majority to ensure the Blueprint's effectiveness.
- Strengthen Arts Education for All: Arts education needs to be championed and made accessible across the board, fostering creativity from a young age.
- Uphold Artists and Creative Rights: Protecting the rights of those who create is fundamental to a sustainable and ethical arts ecosystem.
- Allocate at least 0.1% of the National Budget for Arts & Culture: A dedicated and significant financial commitment is necessary to truly develop the sector.
- Establish a Dedicated Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy: A ministry focused solely on this sector would ensure it receives the high-level attention and strategic focus it deserves.
These demands are seen as vital steps to help the government "evolve with the times" and recognise the importance of arts in nurturing a society imbued with critical thinking, inclusion, and diversity.
Photo credit to Five Arts Centre.
Be Part of the 'Seni Untuk Semua' Campaign
The Town Hall may have concluded, but the Petition Campaign is just getting started. Now is the time to translate the energy from the event into sustained pressure for policy change.
If you believe the Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy deserve a central role in the national agenda, your support is crucial.
How You Can Still Be Part of the Movement
- Sign the Petition
Add your name to the ‘Seni Untuk Semua’ Petition here and support the 5 Calls to the Prime Minister for a more empowered and sustainable arts ecosystem.
- Follow for Updates (@reformartsi.my)
Stay updated on the campaign’s progress and upcoming initiatives. Every bit of awareness helps strengthen the collective voice.
- Get in Touch
For updates or to get involved, contact the coalition directly at reformartsi.my@gmail.com.
Let’s make sure the government catches up with the needs of our creative community and turn the vision of a creative, progressive Malaysia into reality.
