The Penang government will request cinemas in the state to not screen 'Tanda Putera', which is scheduled for release nationwide tomorrow.
State exco member Chow Kon Yeow, who is in charge of local government and thus cinema licences, said his department will issue the written request today.
"We have no control over the content of the film, (which is the prerogative of) Finas (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia).
"However, in view of the sensitive nature of the movie, we are directing the two local councils (in Penang and Seberang Perai) to write in to ask the cooperation of the cinemas to not screen the movie," he told a press conference.
Asked what would the state do if the cinemas refused to comply, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (left), who was also present, did not provide a direct answer.
"The film has scenes which are slanderous, based on lies, and it is a threat to the harmony between the different communities in the country.
"Those scenes of Chinese youth urinating inside the Selangor menteri besar (Harun Idris') residence and Malaysian flag can create chaos in society," he said.
State exco member Chow Kon Yeow, who is in charge of local government and thus cinema licences, said his department will issue the written request today."We have no control over the content of the film, (which is the prerogative of) Finas (National Film Development Corporation Malaysia).
"However, in view of the sensitive nature of the movie, we are directing the two local councils (in Penang and Seberang Perai) to write in to ask the cooperation of the cinemas to not screen the movie," he told a press conference.
Asked what would the state do if the cinemas refused to comply, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (left), who was also present, did not provide a direct answer."The film has scenes which are slanderous, based on lies, and it is a threat to the harmony between the different communities in the country.
"Those scenes of Chinese youth urinating inside the Selangor menteri besar (Harun Idris') residence and Malaysian flag can create chaos in society," he said.
He said the incident never happened because the residence was heavily guarded, as claimed by a witness who was at Harun's house at the material time.
Licence to lie?
Lim also took the mainstream media to task for failing to point out that the scene was a work of fiction.
On film director Shuhaimi Baba's explanation that the filmmakers claimed "creative licence" to adapt historical events into the film, Lim said that it was not a "licence to lie".
"If this trend continues, what if one day they make a film suggesting that Altantuya Shaariibuu was murdered by Anwar Ibrahim or Lim Kit Siang?" he asked.
"We cannot understand how the government can spend money to sponsor such a malicious and dangerous film."
Licence to lie?
Lim also took the mainstream media to task for failing to point out that the scene was a work of fiction.
On film director Shuhaimi Baba's explanation that the filmmakers claimed "creative licence" to adapt historical events into the film, Lim said that it was not a "licence to lie".
"If this trend continues, what if one day they make a film suggesting that Altantuya Shaariibuu was murdered by Anwar Ibrahim or Lim Kit Siang?" he asked.
"We cannot understand how the government can spend money to sponsor such a malicious and dangerous film."
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