For UIA students, ‘invite only’ screening of ‘Tanda Putera’

The film’s maker, Shuhaimi Baba, said “creative licence” was used in the depiction of historic events in “Tanda Putera”. — File picGOMBAK, March 10 ― The controversial “Tanda Putera” film on the May 1969 riots was privately shown last night to a group of 600 students in an “invite-only” screening at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA).

The university’s Student Affairs Department had earlier confirmed that the film would be shown to students and was organised by Kelab Wawasan UIA with co-operation from the department.

The film has raised the ire of opposition politicians who say some scenes are not historically accurate.

But the film’s director had stressed that the film is not a documentary, but a movie “with dramatic elements and creative licence responsibly exercised in its making” and with research done beforehand.

According to a student group, it was mandatory for Police Undergraduate Voluntary Corps and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Unit (PALAPES) members to attend, while UIA’s residential colleges have been asked to send six members each.

“Those who attend would also be awarded ‘Star Points’,” news portal Malaysiakini quoted We Unite for Islam UIA president Mohd Najib Abdul Rahim as saying, referring to the institution’s participatory merit point system.

The Malaysian Insider was turned away from attending the 9pm screening last night, which appeared to be tightly guarded by security personnel.

One security guard told The Malaysian Insider that the event was “invite-only” and was strictly meant for students, stressing that the media was not permitted to attend the screening.

“Reporters not allowed, only invited students,” he said.

When approached in the surrounding areas of the campus, several students said they were unaware of the private screening.

“There is an event in the auditorium? I was not aware,” said Nurul Huda Abdul Hamid.

Another student, Azuandi Mohd Zainal, a final year law student, said he came to know about the screening from a friend who was part of PALAPES.

“My friend is in there, but he did tell me that only selected individuals are permitted,” the student told The Malaysian Insider.

The Twitter page of student movement @UIAM4PEACE confirmed that the screening took place last night.

“Filem #TandaPutera dah bermula.. Kami X Boleh Merakam Sebarang Gambar dan Video dlm Ini.Nytakan Pndangan Anda dgn guna Hashtag #TandaPutera,” it wrote.

[Translaton: Tanda Putera has started. We cannot snap any photographs or video in here. State your views by using the hashtag #TandaPutera].

“Tak nampak perkauman pun movie ni .yang aku nampak yang jahatnya sisa saki baki pihak komunis #TandaPutera,” a student @YuFakhrulLah who attended the screening wrote.

[Translation: This movie does not look racist. The ones who I see are the villains here are the communist remnants].

Last month, over 3,000 Felda settlers were shown a surprise preview of “Tanda Putera”.

The film was shown during a special gathering of settlers at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), which was also attended by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The film had raised questions from members of the public, including Suaram adviser Dr Kua Kia Soong and prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, with the latter questioning why it was only shown to Felda settlers.

“Tanda Putera” also depicts the second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and his deputy, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, during the post-May 13 period. Razak’s eldest son, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, is the current prime minister.

The film was produced by Pesona Pictures Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), which provided the financing together with the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDEC).

It was previously reported that Putrajaya had decided last October to put off the public release of the film indefinitely due to the controversial depiction of the events surrounding the 1969 racial riots.

The RM4.8 million film, financed with public funds, was first due to be released last September 13 but it was later pushed to November 17.

“Tanda Putera” director and producer Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba said earlier this month that Pesona Pictures had agreed to its screening after Election 2013.