Nazri says it’s fact that Chinese caused May 13, finds Tanda Putera “well-researched”

The Chinese did cause the May 13 riots and Tanda Putera is a well-researched movie that depicts that, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz today.

“It is a historical fact that the riot was sparked by Chinese," he said, adding that it's just like it's "a fact that Nazis killed thousands of Jews during the Second World War”.

He added, “But only a few individuals were to blame for the violence then. The Chinese community as a whole is not responsible for what happened in 1969, only the individuals. They are the ones who should feel guilty.”

He said he saw the movie Tanda Putera, found it “well-researched” and wondered why the present generation of Chinese was upset over it.

“This happened then. Why should the present generation of Chinese be troubled by it now?” he asked. Nazri was speaking after launching the National Museum’s 50th anniversary in Kuala Lumpur.
The movie opened to poor ticket sales for the past two days. The film began screening in Penang cinemas today.

The Penang government had issued an advisory to the cinemas in the state not to screen Tanda Putera, calling it full of lies and saying it demonised minority groups.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, however, made clear that no action would be taken against cinemas that decided to screen it.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim disagreed with the Penang government’s advisory to cinema operators in the state not to screen Tanda Putera.

“The Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is only advising, not banning the screening of Tanda Putera. I personally do not agree with the Penang government’s move,” he said today after giving his Merdeka Day address at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

However, Anwar agreed with Lim's contention that the film was made to help Barisan Nasional.

“What is regretful is that the film promotes Barisan Nasional propaganda and even the director herself, Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba, admitted that the film is a work of fiction.

“It is overly done. The film is promoted in Felda schemes, schools, universities and probably in every lesson in the National Civics Bureau.

“We are a free country, but you don’t promote it like it is a communist-style propaganda,” the Permatang Pauh MP said.