Shabery tells Kit Siang to watch 'Tanda Putera' first

According to Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang should watch the controversial film ‘Tanda Putera’ first before making any criticisms.

Shabery said that after Lim (right) watches the film, the latter can "write a review or make him own film" in accordance with the "freedom of expression".

"Artistic value can be viewed in different perspectives - for the artist and the art appreciator - and the same can be said about history.

"He (Lim) can question it (after viewing) through a review, or make his own film. That is the freedom of expression which cannot be stopped.

"The opposition seems to want to curb the freedom of expression of others merely on hearsay or by only viewing small parts of it," Shabery noted.
The film, which was due to be released earlier, caused an outcry as snippets of the film were said to have demonised the DAP through a depiction of the May 13 riots.

A picture of Lim dragged away by security personnel was posted on the film's official Facebook page, with a caption claiming that Lim had urinated on a flag during the riots.

He has denied this and said that he was not even in Kuala Lumpur during the riots. The photograph was from when he was deported from Sabah.

Asked if he had viewed the film, Shabery (left) said that he has and personally saw no issue with it.

"For me, there is nothing that is sensitive. I also feel the film is balanced.

"I reserve any criticism but I appreciate that this is someone's effort. It is about (second prime minister) Abdul Razak (Hussein) and (his deputy) Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman and May 13 is only the backdrop," he said.