The Federal Territories Perikatan Nasional Youth wing lodged a police report today against rapper Wee Meng Chee over his film poster that it alleged impinged on racial sensitivities.
The police report was lodged by the wing’s information unit member Mohammad Azwan Azmi (photo, above) at the Dang Wangi District police headquarters today, together with eight representatives from Federal Territories PN Youth.
Azwan said the police report was made because the poster of the film ‘Babi’ (Pig) contained racial slurs such as “Melayu bodoh”, “India keling” and “Cina babi”.
“This is a very uncouth insult that is ill-intentioned to cause racial resentment. This cannot go unanswered with no action from the police.
“He has caused issues many times. Why is the word ‘Malay’ placed in the middle of the poster and other races at the sides? Is he trying to provoke the Malays?
“The poster also displays the derogatory terms “India keling” and “Cina babi” and I’m worried that this could cause racial tensions in Malaysia,” Azwan told reporters after making the police report.
He urged the police to investigate Wee, better known by his moniker Namewee, under Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
He also urged the government to seek Wee’s extradition from Taiwan. For the record, Malaysia has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan since 1974.
Meanwhile, Azwan said the Communications and Multimedia Commission should block Wee’s social media accounts and all content relating to the film from being accessed by Malaysians, including through Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Azwan is the Titiwangsa Pemuda Negara secretary and a former entertainment reporter at a local TV station.
He said he has yet to watch the film, but said, “As someone who has been in the entertainment and media industry for 14 years, I know what he is trying to show.
“So, my report is regarding the poster first, because it is clearly an insult and provocation towards the Malays,” he said.
Racial epithets should not be displayed on posters, but character names can be invented instead to deliver the narrative, even if it is based on a true story, Azwan added.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post yesterday, Umno supreme council member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah urged all youths to lodge police reports against Wee.
“I hope for the youths, let’s rise up and don’t give him any more chances,” Armand said.
He also urged the National Film Development Corporation not to grant approval for the film to be screened in Malaysia.
Ten years ago, Armand who is a former Perkasa youth chief, held a protest against Wee over the latter’s video clip “Negarakuku”.
Meanwhile, according to media reports, Wee conceded that his film is too controversial and it may not be possible to air it in Malaysia.
Hence, he would not seek approval to screen it in Malaysia, but would instead apply to show it at film festivals abroad.
Babi is currently shortlisted in four international film festivals, namely the Open World Toronto Film Festival (best director and best actor), Around International Film Festival Berlin (best feature film), International Thai Film Festival 2020 and the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (best original film song).
It is slated to be screened in Taiwan from Nov 20, and is based on a real-life racial riot at a school in southern Malaysia in 2000.
This morning, Wee defended his film in a Facebook post, saying his work promotes unity among Malaysians.
He criticised those seeking to play with racial sentiments and politicise his film.
“They haven’t watched the film and know nothing of its contents, morals and messaging that is being delivered through the film, but they make unfounded comments without facts and even lodged a police report.
“These people are the true extremists,” Wee said.
He also expressed regret for those who had been “used” by tactics employed by his critics.
“It is sad that some individuals have been taken by their tactics and are being used by them. I feel incredibly sad.
“Nevertheless, congratulations to Malaysia because this film is the pride of Malaysia. We are finally on the international stage. Malaysia boleh!” he added. - Mkini
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