KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 - The MADANI government will continue to intensify efforts to support local artists so that they can produce high-quality and competitive works.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government's commitment was among the matters discussed in his meeting with renowned artist Datuk M Nasir at his office in Putrajaya, on Friday.

"Yesterday I received a visit from the great artist Datuk M Nasir in Putrajaya. In this meeting, we talked about the creative industry, local arts and culture," he said in a post on Facebook.

Datuk Seri Anwar also left a message for M Nasir to continue to remain creative in producing works of art, especially in the country's music industry.

M Nasir, or real name Mohd Nasir Mohamed, 67, who is synonymous with intellectual and spiritually uplifting works, is considered one of the most influential figures in the development of music and creative arts in Malaysia.

Apart from being a singer and composer, he is also known as an actor, lyricist and art director who has contributed greatly to strengthening cultural identity in the local entertainment scene.