MCMC defends ban on Undilah video

The Censorship Board has not cleared it, says chief commissioner Khalid Ramli.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission today defended its decision to ban the “Undilah” music video, which promotes the right to vote.

The commission’s chairman, Khalid Ramli, said his office directed local TV stations not to air the video because the Film Censorship Board had not cleared it.

“Anything at all is subjected to the film censorship authority,” Khalid told FMT. “We are merely saying that the video had no clearance from the board and therefore cannot be aired.”

He said the MCMC’s decision was not based on any specific public complaint.

It was reported today that MCMC had issued letters asking the Astro network and the Media Prima television station not to broadcast the video, which calls on Malaysians to exercise their right to vote.

The 4.38-minute piece was directed by local musician Pete Teo and features many politicians, from both from the opposition and Barisan Nasional, lip syncing to a song sung by local celebrities Namewee, Afdlin Shauki and others.

Among the politicians featured are Gua Musang MP and Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong, Deputy Health Minister Rosnah Abd Rashid, MIC Puteri chief and former senator J Usha Nandhini, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR), Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (PAS), Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua (DAP) and Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PKR).

The ban has been criticised by election watchdog Bersih 2.0 as well as politicians, who said it defied logic, citing its “non-partisan” nature.