Mentega Terbang director, producer to be charged Wednesday

 

The director and producer of the film “Mentega Terbang” will be charged in court on Wednesday for causing religious offence.

A court notice sighted by Malaysiakini was sent to the film’s producer Tan Meng Khai asking him to appear in court to face charges under Section 298 of the Penal Code.

Malaysiakini was made to understand that the film’s director, Khairi Anwar, would also be charged.

Section 298 of the Penal Code carries a sentence of up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The duo had previously been investigated by police over the film last year.

The film tells the story of 15-year-old Aishah as she grapples with questions about life after death in various religions when faced with her mother’s terminal illness.

It premiered in 2021 and was available for streaming on Viu before controversy around the film erupted in 2023, with conservative groups complaining that the film encouraged apostasy among others.

The film was officially banned in Sept last year, a move that Khairi and Tan are challenging in court.

Khairi and actor Arjun Thanaraju received death threats and had their cars vandalised during the height of the controversy against the film. - Mkini