KUALA LUMPUR: The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac, who is under pressure to step down from several film associations, will respond to their "accusations" against him tomorrow.
“I'll reply to them at my office on Thursday afternoon," he said when contacted last night.
Hans said that he would also hold a press conference at Kompleks Studio Merdeka in Hulu Klang around noon to "answer all allegations" made against him.
Representatives of six film associations, in a press conference at Al Andalus Restaurant in Jalan Imbi yesterday demanded that Hans step down as Finas chairman for "failing to do his job properly".
They alleged that Hans "interfered" with the duties of Finas chief executive officer Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri, and influenced the decisions of Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo when dealing with the creative industry.
The associations were the Professional Film Workers' Association of Malaysia (Profima), Malaysian Muslim Consumers' Association (PPIM), Persatuan Seniman Malaysia, the Malaysian Digital Creative Industry Association (PIKDM), Komuniti Filem Titiwangsa (Komfit) and the Malaysian Cinematographers' Association (MySC).
Profima president Kapt Khir Mohd Noor alleged that Hans not only brought in his "cronies" to sit on the Finas board but was also the cause behind Ahmad Idham's request to shorten his two-year contract as CEO, to just a year.
“Hans and the board, which is behind him, interfered with Ahmad Idham's work. As a result Ahmad Idham could not do his job effectively. Hans and the board also influenced the Minister's decision-making in matters pertaining to the film industry," alleged Khir.
Seniman deputy president Zuraini Kassim said that the associations also felt that Gobind “failed” to promote Malaysian films internationally.
The associations plan to meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to highlight their dissatisfaction with Gobind, Hans and the Finas board.
Seniman president Zed Zaidi said in a news report yesterday that he was disappointed that Ahmad Idham's tenure had been shortened by Finas, without consulting Gobind.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia president Datuk Freddie Fenandez said in a statement yesterday that the six associations did not represent a majority in the film industry, and most of the 30-odd film associations were happy with the performances shown by Hans and Gobind.
Yesterday, Hans denied that he and Ahmad Idham did not see eye to eye. He also said that he did not have executive power in Finas.
Last Monday, Ahmad Idham's contract with Finas was shortened from two years to a year. His last day is on March 10.
Hans and Ahmad Idham have been Finas' chairman and chief executive officer since March 14.