Within 24 hours, the Penang government has amended a letter to cinema operators, now "advising" instead of "ordering" them not to screen 'Tanda Putera' in the state.

lim guan eng interview 160813 03 Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng ( right ) revealed the new letter at a press conference today, claiming that the previous one was incorrect.

In a letter to the local councils yesterday, state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said he had insisted that the state merely "advises" and not "directs" the operators to stop screening the movie.

"My letter to the two councils was very clear that it is to advice. This letter was sent based on this decision.

"When MPPP (Penang City Council) received my letter and discussed it, they felt that this decision was based on entertainment enactment and bylaws and the best word to use is 'arahan (order)', said Chow, who was at the same press conference.

"However, when the councils sent the letter, there was a slight deviation from the state government’s advisory, so we asked them to issue another letter," he added.

Chow said it was up to the cinema operators to decide on whether to screen the movie or not.

No action against cinemas for non-compliance

In the previous letter, MPPP had reminded cinema operators that their licence fell under its purview and then stated that the operators were "ordered" not to screen the movie.

NONE However, Chow's letter to the councils, which was dated yesterday and which were handed out to reporters today, had stated that: "...the state government has expressed deep concern (keprihatinan yang tinggi) towards the movie Tanda Putera as there are certain scenes which contain sensitive elements about the local community.

"With this, MPPP and MPSP are asked to issue a letter immediately to advice the cinemas not to screen the movie so that untoward incidences do not happen," Chow said in the letter.

Meanwhile, Lim when asked if he has seen the movie, replied "no".

However, he said his opposition to the movie is based on the various reports and the director's own admittance that she has used "creative license" to depict certain scenes.

Lim, however, said he would not be calling for a boycott and that it was up to the people to see it and evaluate the movie for themselves.

"It is also up to the cinemas to comply to our advisory. No action will be taken against by from the council if they go ahead with the movie screening," he added.

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