The portrayal of bloodshed and havoc based on the racial riots of May 13, 1969, in the film Tanda Putera is necessary to educate today’s youth on the need for the different races to live peacefully together.

NONE “Even if it touches on racism, the May 13 incident is an important reminder on the need for racial harmony,” Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Maglin Dennis D’Cruz ( left ) told the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time today.

With the “maturity of youths today”, he said, such a portrayal of past incidents can be used as one aspect of education in history.

Maglin also played down allegations that the film contained negative racist inferences which may be detrimental to viewers.

“As the movie itself has not yet been screened in cinemas, it is too early to say that there will be negative racist effects.”

NONE The deputy minister also revealed that the RM2.7 million film, which was financed fully by national film company Finas, was part of government strategy to support the production of patriotic movies.

Maglin said this in answer to an oral question from Loh Gwo-Burne (PKR-Kelana Jaya) on government support for  the controversial Shuhaimi Baba-directed film produced by Pesona Pictures, which is said to feature racist content.

The film, he said, had also undergone strict scrutiny by Finas to ensure that it abided by government requirements.

Tanda Putera

courted controversy after its preview to the press and selected group , with the opposition pointing out factual errors in the movie, while others criticised it for its "racist" slant.

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