Movie-goers will be deprived the chance of watching the latest work of local film-maker Amir Muhammad after his appeal against the ban on Apa Khabar Orang Kampung was rejected by the government.

The Film Censorship Board's appeal committee, which met last Wednesday to look into the board's earlier decision to ban the movie, decided to maintain the ban.

In a letter sent to Amir through fax last Wednesday, the board's appeal committee said it upheld the board's earlier decision that the "film is not approved for viewing".

"With that, it is reminded that under Section 23 (2) of the Film Censorship Act, any decision by the appeal committee is final," stated the one-page letter signed by the Home Ministry's film control division assistant secretary Junaina Johan.

A copy of the letter was posted on Amir's weblog, who also wrote that he was disappointed that his appeal was rejected.

"I am disappointed, of course. But at least it will show in Singapore next month, and it has already been confirmed for nine other festivals," the 35-year-old film-maker wrote on his blog.

"And, most importantly, I have started working on the next [project]. A wise person once said, ' rezeki ada di manan-mana ' (fortune can be found anywhere)," the award-winning film-maker added.

Second movie banned

Apa khabar orang kampung , or known abroad as Village people radio show , was banned on Feb 12 for allegedly glorifying the struggle of the 'united communist front' in the nation.

In a letter to Amir earlier, the board had listed seven reasons for the ban - ranging from "inaccurate facts to depicting the government in poor light".

Among the other reasons given include the fact that the film touched on the sensitivities and bitter memories of security forces and members of the public who had been victims of communist violence.

Following that, Amir sent an appeal letter on Feb 26 and cited 14 reasons as to why his film should not be axed.

His previous movie Lelaki Komunis Terakhir ( The last communist ) was also banned.

The censorship board falls under the purview of the Home Ministry and bans are based on guidelines concerning ideological, political, religious, socio-cultural, moral and decency matters.

Last week, Amir announced his next movie project titled ' Do you remember the 20th day of September ', a movie that will focus on the events at the height of the reformasi movement in 1998.

On Sept 20, 1998, Anwar Ibrahim, who had just been sacked as deputy premier, led a mass demonstration in Kuala Lumpur calling for the resignation of the then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Anwar was soon arrested under the Internal Security Act and that further sparked the cries for reform.

Amir will start shooting on the new film in May on a RM60,000 budget.