The Communications and Multimedia Ministry will refer to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action regarding the decision of the Penang state government to ban the screening of

the film Tanda Putera .

Its minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek said a meeting between the ministry and the AG’s Chambers would be held this afternoon to look at any suitable provisions in the law that could be adopted.

“The jurisdiction on issuing licences to the theatres lies with the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (Finas). (Meanwhile) the jurisdiction on the opening or building of a theatre and so on, lies with the local government.

“Thus, if a conflict such as this occurs, we will look into matters that can be done or otherwise from the legal perspective. We respect the law, to us, this is something new,” he said when commenting on the banning of the screening of the patriotic film, Tanda Putera , in Penang.

When approached by reporters after attending the Merdeka Day rehearsal at the Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur today, he said Tanda Putera was given a ‘must screen’ status but when faced with such a directive from the local government, the ministry had to do something to tackle the matter.

Describing the action of the Penang state government as irrational, Ahmad Shabery felt that the state government was “narrow-minded” and adopted an authoritarian attitude for making a drastic decision without watching the film first.

“The film will later be screened on government TV networks, digital video discs, Astro First and others.

“I also want to know whether the Penang government will also ban the people from watching Astro, television so that the film will not enter the state’s borders,” he said in jest.

The film Tanda Putera , directed by Suhaimi Baba, revolves around the May 13 incident and would be screened to the public throughout the country beginning today.

Meanwhile in GEORGE TOWN, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng pointed out today that the state government merely issued an advice and did not prevent any theatre in the state from screening the film Tanda Putera .

He also said that no action would be taken against operators of theatres who ignored the advice of the state government.

“In refuting the slander by the media controlled by the BN (Barisan Nasional), the Penang state government reiterated that no one would be prevented from watching the film in Penang.

At a press conference yesterday, Lim had said that the DAP-led state government had advised theatre operators in the state not to screen the film Tanda Putera , claiming that it contained sensitive issues and was slanderous.

Screened simultaneously in 60 theatres

The film, directed by Shuhaimi Baba and starred by Rusdi Ramli as Abdul Razak Hussein and Zizan Nin as Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, was being screened simultaneously in 60 theatres nationwide beginning today.

“The state government could only give the advice as a moral compass and there was no protest against the film which provoked racial sentiments and hatred,” he said.

Meanwhile, Golden Screen Cinema (GSC) via its website had announced that the film Tanda Putera would not be screened in Penang in compliance with the advice announced yesterday.

According to the announcement, GSC would refund the ticket holders who had bought the ticket for the film beginning 5pm today, within one week from the date of screening of the film.

A check by Bernama at several theatres in Queensbay Mall, 1st Avenue, Prangin Mall, Kompleks Bukit Jambul and Gurney Plaza revealed that the film was not screened.

- Bernama

Related stories

KJ: Hold outdoor screening of Tanda Putera in Penang

Cinemas may lose their licence, warns Shuhaimi

GSC pulls the plug on Tanda Putera in Penang

Confusion over movie 'advisory' letters resolved

'Truth-seeking M'sians should boycott Tanda Putera'

Activists flay Penang over Tanda Putera 'ban'

Guan Eng: No ban on Tanda Putera, just advisory

Guan Eng, let the people decide for themselves

'Bury your phobias, watch Tanda Putera'