KUCHING: Sarawak’s creative industry has strong potential to compete globally as growing youth participation and stronger collaboration create opportunities across animation, games and film.
The potential is further strengthened through events bringing together government agencies, industry players and young creatives under one platform to exchange knowledge and experiences.
Ventura Interactive chief executive officer Andrew Bong said Sarawak should focus on identifying its strengths and developing unique creative content rather than simply matching established global standards.
“Within that limitation of resources, we learn to tell a unique story, and through that refinement process afterwards, I’m sure we can compete globally,” he said at the Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGFEST) 2026 at Pullman Hotel today.
He said the development process was more important than immediately reaching ambitious targets, with young creatives benefiting greatly from exposure, experience and learning through failure.
Bong said the Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGFEST) 2026 demonstrated the importance of collaboration among the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), state government and TVS.
He said the festival was significant as it brought games, animation and film together, providing young people with broader exposure to opportunities within the creative industry.
According to Bong, proper exposure and practical experience could help young people understand the realities of creative production while building confidence and improving their capabilities.
“Sarawak’s creative industry must strengthen its business capabilities alongside production skills to successfully develop intellectual property (IP) for global markets.”
He said publishing, licensing and copyright were fundamental components of the creative business, requiring creators to understand how their intellectual property could generate sustainable value.
“I think we still need a lot of push,” he said, adding that stronger business knowledge could help creative professionals take their work further commercially.
He said collaboration with local businesses, lawyers and paralegals knowledgeable about intellectual property could help creators better understand copyright protection, licensing and commercial opportunities.
He explained that intellectual property should not be viewed merely as something automatically granted, but as an asset that could be traded for value.
Bong remained optimistic about Sarawak’s creative prospects, particularly as international speakers and industry professionals increasingly visit the state to share knowledge, experience and global perspectives.
He said continued exposure to international practices would help Sarawak’s creative community develop stronger capabilities while creating greater confidence to pursue opportunities beyond Malaysia.
