The police had objected to the screening of the local production 'Last Communist' ( Lelaki Komunis Terakhir ) despite the Censorship Board giving it the green light, revealed a minister today.

Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim said police officers had viewed the semi-musical documentary directed by Amir Muhammad at the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) office on May 2.

"After viewing the film, the police made the recommendation that the film was not appropriate to be screened to the public, which definitely contradicted the Censorship Board's decision.

"Thus the matter was brought to the concerned minister (Home Minster Radzi Sheikh Ahmad) and he made the decision," he added.

The Censorship Board had given the film a 'U' rating, making it suitable for all ages.

Rais was responding to a question from Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang in the Dewan Rakyat.

His statement contradicted Amir's claim that the police special branch officers who viewed a special screening of the movie had okayed it.

The director ( right ) had blamed the ban - by the Home Ministry - on a series of stinging reports in Malay daily Berita Harian .

The reports had criticised Amir for highlighting the exploits of the communists and ignoring the struggles of national heroes.

Review promised

Meanwhile, there still could be light left at the end of tunnel since Rais promised to review the film.

"I give the commitment that the film will be reviewed by my ministry and I will make an assessment as to why the decision (to ban) was made," he told Lim.

On the same note, he asked whether such movies should be ignored by the authorities.

"The question in front of us is whether a movie like this - where its title is also controversial - should be ignored by the relevant authorities? They are empowered to study the film from all perspectives," he said.

Rais also agreed to Lim's request that a special screening of the film be held at the Finas cinema soon for cabinet ministers and parliamentarians in order for them to draw a conclusion as to whether the ban was justified.

The Last Communist is said to chronicle the life of the defunct Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leader Chin Peng, who is now living in exile in Thailand.

However, Amir had explained that the 90-minute film did not feature actual interviews with Chin Peng or even depicted his photos, but interviews with people who live in various towns previously known for communist activity.

The film was scheduled for screening on May 18 in Kuala Lumpur before it was banned.