Civil society groups have lambasted the legal actions taken by the government against the director and producer of controversial indie film “Mentega Terbang”, which is now banned in Malaysia.
This comes after the film’s director Khairi Anwar and producer Tan Meng Kheng were served with summons to appear before a Kuala Lumpur Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Jan 17) to face charges under Section 298 of the Penal Code for “hurting religious feelings”.
Section 298 of the Penal Code carries a sentence of up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Khairi and Tan were investigated by police over the film last year.
Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) executive director Wathshlah G Naidu has slammed the charges against the duo, calling it an attempt by the government to silence artistic freedom.
In charging them, Wathshlah said CIJ questioned whether Putrajaya acted in accordance with international standards of legitimacy, necessity, and proportionality in curtailing or restricting freedom of expression.
“The charges against the filmmaker and producer under Section 298A of the Penal Code for blasphemy showcases how archaic, arbitrary values have superseded the universal value of artistic freedom - one that is tantamount to our ability to freely express ourselves,” she said when contacted by Malaysiakini today.
She bemoaned that the government and its relevant authorities have acutely disregarded diversity of opinion in society instead of favouring uniformity of thought on the issue.
“Allowing the general public to discuss and decide, through healthy debate, the type of content that suits them and their values so that they may make an informed decision is inherent in a democratic and thinking society.
“We find it only fair that a higher priority is placed on public interest instead of political expediency and a very conservative government agenda,” she added.
‘That’s not how freedom works’
Beyond Borders founder Mahi Ramakrishnan also shared similar sentiments, calling the criminal charges “ridiculous and arbitrary”.
Mahi asserted that Malaysia can’t claim to be a free country when the government has evidently curbed artistic expression.
“Every art form is subjective to the viewers. Each viewer takes away something unique to themselves. Many appreciated ‘Mentega Terbang’, while others did not.
“No art form can please everyone. It, however, offers different perspectives. And we, as viewers, can always agree to disagree without going to the extent of banning films and charging filmmakers.
“That is not how freedom works,” she said.
Mahi, who is also a filmmaker and activist, then called for the public to stand in solidarity with the filmmakers, actors, and crew of “Mentega Terbang”.
“If this could happen to them, our civil liberties could also be violated for whatever reason the government deems fit,” she said.
Contradictory to Islamic beliefs
Khairi has also spoken out against the charges.
He was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as expressing his concerns that the legal actions would deter storytellers from telling their stories out of fear of prosecution.
“Mentega Terbang” 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 Muslim Consumers’ Association and Putra found it offensive that the movie showcased a Muslim seeking answers from other faiths.
The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) also found the content to be in contradiction with Islamic beliefs and the Muslim way of life in the country.
The film was officially banned in September 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
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