Soi Lek backs KJ's Tanda Putera outdoor screening

MCA president Chua Soi Lek has backed Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin's suggestion to organise public screenings of the controversial film Tanda Putera in Penang.

Chua in a statement today said Penang's move to advise its cinemas not to screen the film as DAP's "double standards".

"I support the proposal by the Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to organise mobile outdoor screenings of the film.

"The people should be allowed to decide for themselves whether Tanda Putera depicts the real May 13 incident or otherwise," he said.

Chua, who has thus far said little in public about the controversies surrounding the film such as the allegedly fictitious scene depicting a Chinese youth urinating on a flag pole in then Selangor menteri besar's house, continued to flay DAP's state government for hypocrisy.

"While on one hand they champion the freedom of expression, on the other hand they are forcing cinemas not to screen the recently released movie.

"I am sure (Penang Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng has not seen the movie either, but his mouth has already shot out absurdities and casting aspersions.

"He should not deny the Penang people of a chance to watch the movie and making their own assumptions rather than him making up the minds for the people," he said.

"Guan Eng should not underestimate the intelligence of the people and allow the people to decide if they want to watch the movie," he added.

Two days ago the Penang government issued an advisory to the state's cinemas not screen the movie citing the potential disruption to racial harmony it may cause.

DAP received flak particularly from Umno quarters for the call, withKhairy suggesting the Information Department screen the movie outdoors to counter the state's move.

PKR de facto leader today supported Lim's decision saying the state had a duty to "remind" the people the movie was "propaganda" rather than "historical".

Meanwhile Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek today directed the  Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas) to ensure that the movie is screened in cinemas in the state as scheduled despite the state government's advisory.