After Tanda Putera’s poor showing, Perkasa wants it to be screened for free

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said the movie received poor response because many people had seen it before it was even screened in the cinemas. The Malaysian Insider pic by Najjua Zulkefli, September 5, 2013.Perkasa is calling for Tanda Putera to be screened for free to the public after its dismal showing at the box office.

The Malay rights group’s vice president Datuk Zulkifli Noordin said the film’s returns at the box office should not be a yardstick for its quality.

“We had given suggestions before that the film should be shown in schools, public places and to all parliamentarians and state assemblymen.

“We had also asked that it be shown on television with repeats,” said Zulkifli today at a press conference.

He said everyone should watch the film to learn about the true history behind the May 13 race riots in 1969.

“In principle, Tanda Putera should be viewed by everyone,” he said.

Perkasa’s president, Datuk Ibrahim Ali also said the film was never expected to receive a good response as youths were not interested in the historical film genre.

He added that another reason the movie received poor response was because many people had seen it before it was even screened in the cinemas.

The controversial film, which received a RM4.8 million grant from FINAS and MDeC has failed and it is being screened in smaller cinemas due to poor response.

The film took RM500,000 over its four-day opening, from last Thursday to Monday.

Tanda Putera has been the centre of controversy following concerns that some scenes and dialogues in the film could incite racial tension.

DAP and MCA had criticised the film for showing that the Chinese were responsible for the May 13 riots.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang was upset with Tanda Putera for showing a scene of several young Chinese youths urinating at a flagpole in the compound of the home of former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Harun Idris.