The approval to screen the 'Beauty and the Beast' under the P13 classificaton without any cuts was made by the Film Appeal Committee (JKRF) rather than the Film Censorship Board (LPF), says the Home Ministry.

The ministry in a statement today explained JKRF was a committee independent of the LPF, established according to the Film Censorship Act 2002, and was not bound by the decision of the LPF.

"JKRF has been given the power to confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the LPF," it said.

Therefore, it said the perception that LPF had made a 'U-turn' or reversed its decision was unfounded.

The statement said LPF had reviewed the film and decided to approve it with minor cuts in three scenes and the muting of a dialogue on the basis it contained elements promoting a gay lifestyle.

According to the ministry, the film's producer Walt Disney Pictures (United States) through its company Buena Vista Columbia Tristar Films (M) Sdn Bhd had then submitted an appeal to JKRF on March 20.

After reviewing the film and taking the appeal into consideration, the JKRF decided to give approval under the P13 classification without any cuts, the statement added.

- Bernama