Review the decision to end the Film Censorship Board's role of censoring films and letting producers and importers to carry out the task instead.

NONE This was the message to the Home Ministry today from PAS Muslimat, with its deputy chief Siti Mariah Ahmad ( right ) saying the wing hoped to meet the minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, on the matter next week.

She said a Facebook page would be set-up by the Islamic party's women's wing this weekend to garner support for the call to the ministry to review its decision.

"The move to let producers and importers do their own censorship is not right and goes against former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's statement in 2003 recognising the role of film censorship to ensure it does not disrupt our Eastern values.

'Our enforcement is also very weak'

"I do not agree with the MCA saying that our stand means the Muslimat is heading in the direction of the Taliban regime. We want to safeguard our values and our children's values.

"Even with censorship now, there are some (unpleasant) scenes that are allowed through... can you imagine what will happen with the government's new decision?" Siti Mariah said.

Siti Mariah said the government cannot renege its role as "gate-keeper" for films shown in cinemas and on television.

If the board could not do its task of censoring movies, the producers could also escape action as they did not know whether a particular scene was seen as objectionable or not.

She said Malaysia was not ready for self-censorship as enforcement in the country was still very weak.

In New Zealand for example, she said, there was strict enforcement, with various classifications for films, and at pre-determined ages of under 13, under 15 and 18 years.

"Even then, there are various other classifications," she said.

If the government was serious about letting producers and importers carry out the censorship, the Kota Raja MP added, who then would classify the films before they were released for public screening?

She also questioned the suitability of airing some questionable movies at prime time.

"I have seen in the West, for example ub Germany, adult oriented programmes that are aired only after midnight."

"Here, our children are exposed to violent movies shown at prime time. These are movies supposedly censored by the board and can you imagine what will happen if this role is given to producers," she said.

So, what about Film Censorship Board Act?

Siti Mariah also asked whether the Film Censorship Board Act would be rendered useless under the new decision.

"How will this Act be amended to implement the decision? We would like to know," she said.

Besides PAS Muslimat and the party’s central leadership, she said, the Malaysian Youth Council was also opposed to the move.

"I hope there are many people willing to come forward, including parents-teachers association of schools and parent support groups. The university students are also supporting our efforts in calling for film censorship by the board to be maintained.

"I find the Home Ministry move puzzling as the government wants to implement it without consulting with other groups, such as parents and civil society groups," she said.

The bulk of film goers, Siti Mariah pointed out, are youths and they may have weak moral values and could be easily influenced if there is no censorship.