Mentega Terbang: Personal feelings must not override the law - Fahmi

 

Personal feelings must not override the law, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil declared today.

Commenting on the probe over the highly controversial film ‘Mentega Terbang’, he stressed that all parties involved must comply with the investigations.

“Right now the matter is under police investigation so I will not comment more than that. We will go through the (investigation) process.

“For example, I myself will comply anytime with the police request to have my statement recorded because it is in the law, regardless of how we feel about it.

“Other issues (about the movie) are outside of my jurisdiction. 

“I do not want to prejudge or be prejudicial against the investigation,” Fahmi (above) told reporters after attending a town hall session held by the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal) today.

Fahmi did not say what his personal feelings were on the matter.

However, he had previously lambasted the previous government for not taking action against the film’s production earlier, when it was aired in 2021, during the administration of former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said that due to recently filed complaints on the film, the current government must take the steps to resolve the issue now.

Fahmi had then called on those who filed complaints about the film not to be hypocrites.

Complainants are rabble-rousers

“These rabble-rousers are not adding fuel to fire but more like pouring orange juice onto their rice to appease their political appetite.

“If they want to add gravy, why didn’t they add it when certain ‘tribes’ were governing? It’s very saddening,” he had said.

Fahmi, an engineer by training, is no stranger to the arts industry, having acted in films such as ‘Gol Dan Gincu’.

He moved away from the theatre collective Five Arts Centre - of which he was a member - shortly after the announcement of his ministerial post to avoid any conflict of interest.

Earlier today, ‘Mentega Terbang’ director Khairi Anwar lodged a police report after his personal belongings were vandalised.

Notes such as “You and your family must die,” Islam will rise up! #MentegaTerbang (Islam pasti bangkit! #MentegaTerbang)”, “Do you think your family is safe, Mentega Terbang? (Ingat family selamat Mentega Terbang? )” among others were left in his residence while his car was also splashed with black and red paint.

In his police report, Khairi claimed that the car of the film actor, Arjun Thanaraju, was also splashed with red paint and acid at the latter’s residence in Ampang.

Fahmi condemned the attacks on the film’s crew in a tweet, reminding them that it was done not in accordance with the law.

“The rakyat must abide by the law and not commit acts that ruin belongings and threaten lives.

“Follow the law. Don’t take matters into your own hands,” he said.