By Santhia Panjanadan
KUCHING, Aug 21: Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo hopes the inaugural Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGFest) 2026 will be held annually and grow into a global event that puts Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak on the world stage.
He said Malaysia had talent in animation and gaming and should look at how to bring the world market to a platform in Malaysia.
“We are always looking around the world for opportunities, particularly investment opportunities. But what we need to do is look at how we can bring the world market to a platform in Malaysia,” he said in an interview at the festival today.
Gobind said the Federal Government would continue working alongside Sarawak to build on its strengths and connect them to opportunities across Malaysia, Southeast Asia and beyond.
He said Sarawak had its own creative community, distinctive stories and cultures, as well as a growing digital ecosystem.
“We are already seeing Sarawakian talents contributing across animation, film, music, games and digital content,” he said.
Gobind said more ideas should be developed in Sarawak, with more intellectual properties (IPs) created and owned there, alongside more companies and high value jobs.
He said Malaysia’s digital future could not be built in one part of the country alone and the opportunities created by the digital economy must reach Malaysians across the country.
Gobind said BAGFest was an example of what could be achieved through Federal and State Government collaboration.
Three days into the festival, which began on Aug 19, Malaysian and international creators, studios, publishers, investors, technology companies and industry leaders have gathered in Kuching.
BAGFest is also creating opportunities for talent through the MYFutureJOBS Metaverse Career Fair, which aims to reach at least 1,500 job seekers.
The festival has also facilitated 200 business matching opportunities and pitching sessions, with 20 buyers participating.
He said the strong response showed Sabah and Sarawak could become a platform for the animation and gaming industry.
–WE