A group of Malay activists today urged the Information Ministry not to ban an actress who was allegedly featured in a pornographic video compact disc (VCD).

The group - comprising two malaysiakini columnists, a scriptwriter, journalists and rights activists - said they were concerned by reports that the ministry and the state-owned broadcasting station RTM were considering banning the actress from productions commissioned by the station.

"For us, such a move is discriminatory in nature. It o­nly aggravates the actress' emotional condition and will affect her livelihood," said the group in a letter .

The letter was signed by scriptwriter Al-Jeefri, malaysiakini columnists Fathi Aris Omar and Aman Rais, writers Amir Sari, Rahmat Haron and Buddhi Hikayat, and rights activists Khairul Anuar A Zainudin and Koy.

Personal recording

News of the VCD allegedly featuring the Kelantan-born actress surfaced two weeks ago when a local Malay tabloid published a front page report o­n the matter.

It was reported that the VCD - which was a personal recording - fell into the wrong hands and subsequently sold in the blackmarket for between RM25 and RM100.

The actress has remained silent but reaction from others have been swift.

An association for local artistes immediately advised its members not to be foolish in recording their private moments while Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin called for the banning of the actress from RTM productions.

Meanwhile, the government cracked its whip against pirated and porn VCD makers and sellers, conducting daily raids o­n factories and storehouses to stop the menace.

The latest controversy came at the heels of another porn VCD involving national carrier MAS staff. Police are investigating both cases.

Be patient

Meanwhile in their letter, the activists said the ministry should not be hasty in banning the actress and should wait for the completion of the police probe as well as obtain an explanation from the actress.

"As reported in the media, the recording was originally done for personal use, which is not a crime, but was stolen and reproduced without the knowledge of the actress and her husband.

"We are sure that the actress and her husband had no intention to reveal their private intimate moments to the public and the exposure now has o­nly embarrassed them," said the group.

They said no o­ne, including the government, should invade the privacy of others, adding that the ministry's decision to ban the actress would mean just that.