Mentega Terbang screening out of our purview - censorship board

 

The screening of a locally produced independent film titled “Mentega Terbang” falls outside the purview of the Film Censorship Board (LPF).

The board said it has no record of the movie in its censorship files and it was only available online.

“LPF is aware of the issues arising from the film titled Mentega Terbang which has gained attention among the general public in Malaysia after public comments on the film went viral on social media.

“Based on the review, it was found that the film is not within the board’s censorship records. It is also available online. Therefore, the screening or streaming of the film is outside the jurisdiction of LPF,” the board said in a statement issued by the Home Ministry.

LPF, which is under the Home Ministry, performs duties based on the Film Censorship Act 2002 (Act 620) which sets the functions of film censorship and film publicity materials broadcasted, exhibited, disseminated, screened, or distributed physically to the general public in Malaysia, except through the internet.

However, it is examining all relevant aspects thoroughly before further action can be taken with regard to “Mentega Terbang”.

LPF said is it sensitive and committed to ensuring negative elements, including elements that are contrary to Islamic beliefs, can be prevented from being broadcasted, exhibited, disseminated, screened, or distributed conventionally to the general public in this country.

It added that if the film was shown via conventional means at any premise, complaints can be channelled to the LPF’s office at the Home Ministry.

Clips of the film went viral on social media recently, with certain quarters alleging it challenged Muslims in the country and roused their anger.

The movie, directed by Khairi Anwar, tells the story of 15-year-old teenager Aishah, who in the face of her mother’s death, gets drawn into exploring the concept of rebirth as contained in some religions.

Her father is also shown as a liberal character who has no issues with his daughter studying the scriptures of other religions in search of an answer.

There is reportedly a controversial scene in the film that depicts the consumption of pork, which is prohibited in Islam.

Bernama reported yesterday that Persatuan Seniman Malaysia lodged a police report against the film for allegedly insulting Islam and promoting seditious content.

Seniman secretary-general Mohd Hafiz Mohd Nafiah said it was inappropriate for the film to be shown on any platform in the country and action should be taken against it.

Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Noor Delilhan Yahaya was quoted saying the case had been handed to the Ampang Jaya district police for further action.

Acting against alleged slander

Separately, Mentega Terbang’s production team has served a letter of demand to scriptwriter Zabidi Mohamed for alleged slanderous comments he made about the film.

Zabidi, who is not affiliated with Mentega Terbang, was given 48 hours to respond to the letter of demand, failing which, the film’s production team will start legal proceedings against him.

The production team alleged that Zabidi’s statements, made on February 25, March 2, and March 3, were “absolutely untrue, malicious and defamatory.”

The production team claimed Zabadi’s comments led to the film being removed from the streaming platform ‘Viu’.

“Furthermore, the accusations stated by you are intended to affect the image, reputation, and credibility of our clients, to bring insults and threats against them,” read the letter of demand dated yesterday.

Zabadi was asked to pay damages, delete all statements in the form of accusations, and apologise for the alleged defamatory statements shared on his Facebook page.

It was also demanded that Zabadi pays for all the costs.

Lawyer Zaid Malek from the Daim & Gamany firm sent the notice on behalf of director Mohd Khairi Anwar, producer Tan Men Kheng and other individuals involved in the film’s production including Arjun Thanaraju, Vishnuvarman Ragunathan, and Ti-Teng Hui.

In response, Zabidi defended his statements, saying that he would fight to protect the faith of Muslims.

“If there are Muslim lawyers who want to be with me in maintaining the purity of Islam, they can PM (private message) me,” he said in a post on Facebook.

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) previously said the contents of the film go against the creed and way of life of Muslims from the Syafie school of thought in Malaysia.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said Jakim would submit a detailed comment to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) so that action could be taken in accordance with the law. - Mkini