Umno Youth exco Lokman Noor Adam has hit out at the upcoming release of the film ‘The New Village’ that he claims glorifies communism.

He queried how the film could be so easily approved for screening while the film ‘Tanda Putera’ that is set during the May 13, 1969 racial riots had been delayed repeatedly.

NONE "Just because 'Tanda Putera has some scenes of DAP's role in causing May 13, the film that is filled with the sacrifices of (former prime minister) Abdul Razak Hussein and (former deputy prime minister) Ismail Abdul Rahman, had been frozen.

"More saddening, now there is ‘The New Village’ that subtly glorifies the Malayan Communist Party as heroes and puts the Malay Army Regiment and police who served together with the British as enemies and 'bad people' that needed to be destroyed," he said in a statement yesterday.

He asked how the film and similar books that he claimed 'twist historical facts and incite people' could be allowed to flourish.

The New Village "I urge the cabinet to relook its policies about the production of such films and books," he said.

He also called for the immediate screening of Tanda Putera, which had been put on hold since last year.

‘The New Village’, which talks about the relocation of the Chinese community into new villages during the communist insurgency, is slated for general released on August 22.

The New Village The trailer also appears to show a love story between a Chinese new village woman and a communist and the struggle between their two different worlds.

Meanwhile Tanda Putera will hit the silver screens seven days after that, on August 29.

Prior to its official release, notably in the period before the 13th general election, it was reported that several private screenings of the controversial film were carried out despite the cabinet decision against it.

‘Don’t hurt soldier’s feelings’

Meanwhile the Peninsula Malay Students Federation (GPMS) has called on the government to postpone screening of 'The New Village".    

Its deputy president, Ezaruddin Abd Rahman, said GPMS viewed the film as an attempt to revive the communist movement in the country.    

"Why allow the film to be screened when it can give a psychological effect that can bring Malaysians closer to the communist ideology which is already dead in the country," he said in a statement today, according to Bernama .     

He said the Home Ministry should look at the content of the film because it concerned the country's security and would hurt the feelings of former soldiers who fought against the communists in the country.