Segregation of non-Bahasa Malaysia local films will ultimately kill the industry, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

He said this in response to the disqualification of several films like 'Ola Bola' and 'Jagat' from the 28th Festival Filem Malaysia 'Best Film' category because they are not in Bahasa Malaysia.

"I hope Finas and PFM will reverse their decision because it seems to me they are killing the very industry they are tyring to save," he said on Twitter.

"There is no place for language profiling in the creative industry," he said.

He added there are many Bahasa Malaysia-speaking talent working in production teams which these "non-Bahasa Malaysia" films and the disqualification hurts them, too.

"Let's not deny them recognition just because some feel over-patriotic about BM!" he said.

What if film in bumiputera language?

Meanwhile, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said the government must scrap language-based segregation in all categories contested in Festival Filem Malaysia, and not just review nominations for 'Best Film'.

He said Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak's assurance that the 'best film' nominations will be reviewed is insufficient.

"FFM's refusal to accept these two films in the best film category raises questions of discrimination in the selection criteria. In fact, it is anti-1Malaysia.

"Will FMM take the same stand on Malaysian films which use native Sabah and Sarawak languages? What does the minister, a Sabahan, have to say about this?" asked Fahmi, who was better known as a theatre performer before venturing into politics.

"In the spirit of unity, and to ensure it does not happen again, the minister must review and consider revamping existing criteria for FFM nominations," he said in a statement.

Salleh yesterday said he will meet with the Film Development Corporation (Finas) to discuss the matter.

Finas will also address the issue at an open dialogue with industry stakeholders tomorrow.

The films were also not qualified for Best Screenplay and Best Director, and were instead nominated in similar categories meant for "non-Bahasa Malaysia films".

The Malaysian Film Producers Association (PFM) defended the segregation as a move to promote Bahasa Malaysia.

However, the Screenwriters Association of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (Penulis) said the segregation encourages disunity and does not recognise films based on quality.

Penulis said such segregation leads to nominations of inferior films.

Actor Afdli Shauki called for an industry boycott while Best Cinematographer nominee Md Nor Kassim annouced he is withdrawing in protest.

He was nominated for the film 'Bravo V', alongside cinematographers for the films 'Polis Evo', 'Munafik', 'Mat Moto: Kami Mat Moto Bukan Mat Rempit' and 'Jagat'.