KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 21 -- Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has defended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over his attendance at pop idol Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza's traditional concert last weekend, saying such patronage was vital to Malaysia's creative industry.

Nga rejected criticisms over Anwar's presence at the weekend performance, stressing that government leadership must champion homegrown talent if the nation hopes to build a thriving arts ecosystem.

"When the government aims to develop the orange economy so local artists, painters, and musicians can earn a living, yet there are some who still object.

"So I want to ask: if the prime minister doesn't support local artists, then who will? If not us, who? An...