KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Censorship Board will engage film industry stakeholders in the film censorship process, aiming to strike a balance between fostering creativity in Malaysian-produced films, and safeguarding the sensitivities of the people, while maintaining order.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the board, which falls under his ministry, has been struggling to find a balance between the two, making it the public’s perception that the Malaysian Censorship Board is unfriendly and cruel.
“On one hand, we are seen as not friendly at all and don’t have empathy towards the creativity of our film industry players.
“On the other hand, we have clear criteria, principles, and priorities involving (the elimination of) sentiments relating to race and religion as well as other inappropriate content.
“The key word here now is a wider involvement, by involving all stakeholders in the film industry (in the censoring process). Now we are more open.
“During previews (of films), the producers of the film and the Malaysian censorship board sit together. If some slots or scenes need to be amended, we will discuss the matter, so it is not a unilateral decision,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during his debate session today.
In addition, he said, should a decision to cut a certain scene be made, the film producers still have the chance to appeal through the appeal board, which would then be discussed and decided by experts in different fields, depending on the content of the scene.
“When you have the authority, you just follow the rules, and you are fine. But in this case, in the process, we need to judge something intangible, creativity is something intangible, how do you measure that?”
Saifuddin said that the board is solely responsible for the content of films aired on television, shown in cinemas, or distributed on tapes.
The content on online streaming platforms like Netflix falls under the jurisdiction of the Communications Ministry, he added.
Currently, Malaysia is implementing both censorship and categorisation of films.
The categories are divided into U (viewing by all walks of life without age limit); P13 (viewers under 13 years of age need parental or guardian supervision while viewing); and 18 (viewers aged 18 and above).
The censorship decisions will have three outcomes: allowed to be aired, allowed to be aired but with amendments, or not allowed to be aired, based on the four guidelines provided under the Film Censorship Act 2022.
The four guidelines are viewed based on their impacts on public security and order, religion, culture, and morality.
“Only if a film’s theme or genre, or the entire film clearly violates these four criteria in an extreme manner, will the board decide to prohibit the film from being filmed, as we fear that it would impact the public order as well as peace and harmony involving different religions, cultures, and moralities,” he added.
Separately, Saifuddin also said the ministry will not approve the screening of any film that promotes LGBTQ lifestyles (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals) unless the overall storyline justifies it.
As the executive body responsible for censoring and classifying films, he said the ministry will also reject those containing elements of communism, Islamophobia, or teachings contrary to Islamic beliefs.
“Over the past few years, there has been an increase in films entering the Malaysian market that defy our societal norms, including LGBTQ themes, communism, Islamophobia, and teachings against Islamic principles.
“I want to stress that the government has not ratified any international convention concerning LGBTQ matters. We also don’t recognise any LGBTQ lifestyle,” he added. – March 21, 2024
