PARLIAMENT | Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today expressed readiness to meet the Communications Ministry if there was a need for streaming platforms to be regulated.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Saifuddin said this includes placing streaming platforms like Netflix under the purview of the Film Censorship Board (LPF).
“Netflix is in the category of movies that are streamed over the internet, which is through streaming platforms or the OTT (over-the-top) platform.
“It (Netflix) is classified under the Communications Act. There’s an element of the internet there.
“So there’s a difference with (movies screened) at cinemas, public commercials, televisions... those are under the Film Censorship Act 2002,” he said during an explainer session on the empowerment of LPF in the august house today.
He was responding to a question by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN – Pasir Mas) on whether the Home Ministry plans to expand LPF’s jurisdiction so that it is able to vet content on Netflix.
Earlier, Fadhli suggested the government has the power to censor films that contain elements of LGBTQ+, communism, Islamophobia and those that conflict with Islamic beliefs.
“There are films that can be accessed in our country but not in other countries. Those films are not available in those countries.
“Therefore, in my opinion, there is a need to ‘penetrate’ to this level to censor films,” Fadhli said.
Local filmmakers turn to Netflix to showcase the uncensored and uncut versions of their films and content.
For instance, the award-winning Malaysian film “Tiger Stripes” was made available on Netflix globally in February after LPF censored the film heavily for screening in Malaysia.
According to its director Amanda Nell Eu, LPF had censored "the very joy of being a young girl in Malaysia”.
“Tiger Stripes” centres on 12-year-old Zaffan (played by Zafreen Zairizal) as she struggles to understand her body experiencing puberty.
Provoked by her community, she soon discovers that embracing her true self is the only answer to her freedom.
The film is a co-production by eight countries - Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, France, Germany, Netherlands, Indonesia and Qatar.
“Tiger Stripes” is Eu’s first feature film and she made history as the first Malaysian and Southeast Asian director to win the €10,000 (RM49,622) Grand Prize award at Cannes Critics Week, a parallel section of the prestigious festival.
Double standards?
Meanwhile, Fadhli also questioned the government’s alleged “double standards” in film censorship.
Citing two separate films namely “One Two Jaga” and “Anwar: The Untold Story”, the PAS lawmaker said both movies portrayed scenes of mismanagement and the negative portrayal of police.
However, he said “Anwar: The Untold Story” was approved by LPF while edits were made to “One Two Jaga”.
“We need to have a consistent stance. If we can approve this movie (“Anwar: The Untold Story”), others will be of the view that this is the justice system and how the police behave in Malaysia.
“So if that’s our actions towards this film (“Anwar: The Untold Story”), is it the same with the rest?” Fadhli queried.
In response, Saifuddin revealed that there were scenes from “Anwar: The Untold Story” that were not approved by LPF.
“But what (scenes) were approved? The actual scene of the narration at the beginning of the film, which is based on the findings of the royal commission of inquiry, for instance.
“Therefore, LPF said that it was factual and to teach the future (generation) a lesson, and so, it was released,” the minister said.
The film - a biopic that documents Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's arduous political journey – stars Malaysian actors Farid Kamil Zahari in the lead role as Anwar and Hasnul Rahmat as Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Others include Indonesian actors Acha Septriasa (as Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail), Saskia Chadwick (as Nurul Izzah Anwar), Dewi Irawan (as Anwar’s mother) and Piet Pagau (as Anwar’s father). - FMT
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