Hollywood star Jim Carrey may have assumed the role of God but this will not guarantee that his comedy Bruce Almighty will be shown in cinemas here. Its fate now lies in the hands of Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

When contacted, Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Hueng ( photo ) said the final say on the movie, which was supposed to start showing today, rested with Abdullah, who is also the home minister.

The movie has ruffled the feathers of certain quarters, who felt that its theme was un-Islamic as it portrayed God in a comical fashion.

"The religious affairs minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin) and the religious bodies came and saw the film.

"They were still not satisfied. They still think that the Home Ministry should reconsider (the decision to allow the film's release)," said Chor.

Divine equation

In the movie, Carrey plays the role of a frustrated television newscaster who is given the power of God for a week. He uses his new power to spice up his sex life and puts himself ahead of his work rival.

Abdul Hamid was roused to object after a radio station aired a contest to promote the movie where listeners were asked what they would do if they were God.

The minister also called for a ban on the movie, deeming it inappropriate since humans "cannot equate ourselves with God almighty even as a joke".

Despite his objections, Chor last week confirmed its release after finding the movie inoffensive.

According to a report in The Star today, censorship board secretary Lukeman Saaid said that a review of the movie was pending following the appeal by the religious authorities.

He added that the movie was not yet banned although the final decision was in the hands of the Home Ministry.

Chin Vin Sen, operator of popular movie review website CinemaOnline told malaysiakini that the company had been advised as early as Monday that the movie might not be approved for screening.

"We were informed that the film might or might not be screened. The first time was two weeks ago but on Monday, we were told again that the (approval) for the film may or may not be screened. The final decision to hold off the film was made as of 6pm yesterday," he said when contacted.

Homosexuality snip

In another development, the film censorship board has also banned an episode of popular local television series '3R' for allegedly promoting homosexuality.

Lukeman informed TV3, the programme's host, that the episode had been banned because it centred on sexuality, particularly homosexuality. He also said the programme could influence students as it depicted that homosexuality began in school.

The episode from the series' sixth season, Identiti di Sebalik Cermin (Identity Behind the Mirror), was also banned because its contents were said to be opposed to Islamic principles, the constitution, the tenets of the Rukunegara and the government's policy of inculcating good morals and Malaysian cultural values.

The '3R' (Respect, Relax, Respond) series has a viewership of more than 1.2 million, predominantly those in the 15-29 age group.

But one of the show's executive producers Marina Mahathir, the daughter of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, reportedly said the board should have been more open to educate the younger generation.

"It is difficult when the audience are about 22 years old and those on the censorship board are more than 55 years old. There is a generation problem.

"If you want to help the younger Malaysians, you must open their eyes to reality," she added.