CRESDO / Explore

Why We Exist

OUR THREE FIELDS OF FOCUS

One connected ecosystem.

Culture & Heritage: Traditional arts, Heritage, Museums, Crafts, Performing arts, Festivals01

Culture & Heritage

Living traditions. Shared identity.

The practices, places, knowledge and expressions that connect us to our roots.

  • Traditional arts
  • Heritage
  • Museums
  • Crafts
  • Performing arts
  • Festivals
Creative Industries: Film & TV, Music, Animation, Publishing, Photography, Advertising, Design, Fashion02

Creative Industries

Original ideas. Creative enterprise.

The people and industries turning imagination into stories, experiences, products and services.

  • Film & TV
  • Music
  • Animation
  • Publishing
  • Photography
  • Advertising
  • Design
  • Fashion
Creative Technology: Games, VFX, XR / AR / VR, Virtual production, Interactive media, Software content, Creator economy, Generative AI03

Creative Technology

New tools. New possibilities.

The technologies and creator-led practices expanding how we create, experience and share culture.

  • Games
  • VFX
  • XR / AR / VR
  • Virtual production
  • Interactive media
  • Software content
  • Creator economy
  • Generative AI

Advancing Malaysia’s Orange Economy

CRESDO connects Culture & Heritage, Creative Industries and Creative Technology. We bring cultural practitioners, creators, businesses and partners together to develop ideas, collaborations and economic opportunities across these three fields.

Co-Creating Culture’s Future

Our mission is to build a collaborative ecosystem that connects the arts and culture sector with diverse industries — breaking old norms to spark bold innovations. Imagine telco companies providing benefits for artists, banks supporting cultural entrepreneurs, or new careers emerging like AI Culture Designers, robotic batik developers, and 3D-printed Serunai or Rebab music apps. We believe tech developers can co-create with artisans and Mak Yong practitioners, just as smart city planners can work alongside bangsawan theatre communities. By bridging these unexpected partners, we open doors for creative solutions that keep Malaysia’s cultural heritage alive, relevant, and thriving for generations to come.

Original CRESDO artwork

About CRESDO

The Creative and Cultural Strategic Development Organization (CRESDO) is a registered organization under the Registry of Societies Malaysia, established to represent and strengthen the voices of Malaysia’s diverse creative and cultural sectors.

We bring together artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, educators, digital creators, and cultural practitioners to build a vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready ecosystem. Our work bridges tradition and innovation, advancing cultural industries through commercialization, digital transformation, and strategic global positioning.

CRESDO acts as a catalyst for change, empowering its members through capacity-building programs, industry research, market access, and cross-sector collaborations. We advocate for sustainable development, inclusive growth, and cultural resilience, locally and internationally.

From grassroots initiatives to national partnerships, we are committed to unlocking the full potential of Malaysia’s cultural economy and ensuring its impact for generations to come.

#binabudayasekarang

At CRESDO, preservation of arts and culture does not mean simply storing them in museums for admiration. Instead, it means making them commercially viable and relevant to today’s society and future generations.

We believe that culture must be lived, not just displayed. Our vision is to integrate arts and culture into everyday life, through digitalization, education, urban planning, and daily interactions. So, they become part of how we live, learn, and grow. Cultural elements shouldn’t merely serve as visual decor, architectural motifs, or tourist attractions. They should breathe life into communities, influence how we engage with technology, and shape the very rhythm of our environments.

We aim to embed culture as a living identity. Not as a symbol of the past, but as a foundation for innovation, societal unity, and economic empowerment. In a multicultural nation like Malaysia, where diverse traditions coexist, this approach fosters shared experiences and meaningful connections, creating a society that thrives on cultural richness and unity in diversity.

Now is the time to act. Every small step we take today brings us closer to a future where culture is not only preserved but lived, celebrated, and empowered in every aspect of our lives.

#binabudayasekarang

THE PEOPLE BEHIND CRESDO

Our founders

CRESDO is powered by a dedicated team of cultural innovators, strategists, and community builders. With diverse expertise across arts, tech, and policy, we work together to drive impact and shape the future of Malaysia’s creative economy.

Ts. Shafirul Azmi Suhaimi

Ts. Shafirul Azmi Suhaimi

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An alumnus of ASWARA with over two decades of experience in the creative and cultural industries, Shafirul Azmi places communication at the core of all his professional endeavors. His work consistently harnesses technology, live events, and multimedia as strategic platforms to convey ideas, foster engagement, and bridge diverse audiences.

A recipient of the Anugerah Seni Negara 2006 under the Young Talent (Choreography) category, Shafirul is recognised for his innovative and expressive contributions to Malaysian contemporary dance, where choreography becomes a vehicle for narrative and cultural dialogue.

He leads multidisciplinary initiatives in event management, cultural programming, and performance production—all designed with communication as their driving force.

His practice also spans the Art Design and Multimedia Technology (Entertainment Subfield), where he integrates digital tools and performance technologies to enhance the communicative power of the arts.

Shafirul holds a Master’s degree in Social Science (Political Science) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Politics and Government Studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), deepening his understanding of political communication, cultural policy, and the role of the arts in public discourse.

Rezuan Ramli

Rezuan Ramli

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An ASWARA alumnus and a seasoned professional in the entertainment and media industry. He has a strong track record of producing and leading a wide spectrum of events, from corporate and sports events to high-profile domestic and international concerts.

His remarkable skill set in strategic event management, artist liaison, and large scale production is evidenced by his successful management of events featuring a diverse range of global artists, including Kris Dayanti, Anuar Zain, Humood Al-Khuder, Opick, Zain Bhika, and Ebiet G. Ade. His expertise in delivering world-class entertainment across various formats makes him a prominent and respected figure in the regional event scene.

Farid Zulkepli

Farid Zulkepli

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An ASWARA alumnus with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of creative technology, digital innovation, and cultural preservation, Farid has played a key role in shaping how heritage and technology converge in Malaysia.

He has contributed to parts of the Smart City project, specifically in creative tech applications that bring cultural and community elements into urban development. Farid also led the content strategy and mapping for the Putrajaya International Islamic Arts & Culture Augmented Exhibition 2019, pushing the boundaries of how Islamic arts can be experienced in immersive formats.

As the founder of CRESDO’s initiatives in SaaS platforms and AI for arts and culture—such as imerscope.com, rebana.me, and Jati.AI—Farid continues to build digital tools that make cultural storytelling and creative content more accessible to wider audiences.

His projects, including the Kraftangan Digital Exhibition 2020, have reimagined traditional arts and crafts through Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), creating new ways for people to interact with Malaysia’s cultural heritage in meaningful and engaging ways.

In recognition of his efforts, Farid was listed in the 7th edition of Successful People in Malaysia by Britishpedia, highlighting his role as a prominent figure in Malaysia’s creative and cultural landscape. He remains committed to bridging tradition and technology, ensuring local heritage stays relevant and sustainable in a rapidly changing digital age.

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Meet the diverse talents and organisations that form our growing ecosystem.

OUR NETWORK

Meet the CRESDO community.

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Our member directory includes existing and new digital members. Some details may be inaccurate or outdated. If your information needs updating, please contact the CRESDO Secretariat.

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