Md Nor Kassim, who was nominated for best cinematography at the 28th Malaysia Film Festival (FFM), announced he is pulling out of the contest.

The withdrawal is amid the controversy of the FFM this year on segregating the best film, best director and best screenplay into Malay language and non-Malay language categories.

Taking to Facebook, Md Nor said: "I officially withdraw from the final nomination at the 28th Malaysia Film Festival, not because I am afraid to compete but I strongly object to racist elements."

Md Nor is the cinematographer for the film 'Bravo V', which was nominated for the category along with 'Polis Evo', 'Munafik', 'Mat Moto: Kami Mat Moto Bukan Mat Rempit' and 'Jagat'.

His announcement came in the wake of actor Afdlin Shauki’s decision to boycott this year's FFM, which is to be held on Sept 3, for the same reason.

The disqualification of major Malaysian films of the year 'Ola Bola' and 'Jagat' from winning the best film category in the festival had caused unhappiness.

They were not nominated for 'best film' because the dialogue was not at least 70 percent in the national language and were therefore placed in the non-Malay language category.

According to The Daily Seni, Md Nor is a six-time nominee at FFM and had twice won the best cinematography category for 'Setem' in 2009 and 'Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa' in 2011.