It is unfair to judge 'The New Village' film based on its trailer release alone and a "rational" decision must now be made on its fate, says Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

NONE However, the minister ( left ) said he was not surprised that the film has drawn protests from Umno Youth and party-owned Utusan Malaysia , since DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang too “overreacted”

to another controversial film, ‘Tanda Putera’, after the screening of its trailer.

"Honestly speaking, I haven't seen (the full movie) and it is unfair if I make a comment based on what I have not seen," Shabery told reporters.

"But I understand there are those who are not rational... but it is the leaders’ fault."

Shabery clarified that his ministry did not have the final say on whether 'The New Village' would be shown in cinemas.

He said the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) was only in charge of promoting and ensuring fair play for the local film industry, while the Film Censorship Board, which decides suitable content for public viewing, comes under the Home Ministry.

"By right, all leaders must be more rational and open-minded. I am sure that when the KDN (Home Ministry) makes the final decision, it will have a rationale of its own on this issue," Shabery told reporters after launching the nationwide expansion of TM Net's online HyppTV.

The New Village ‘The New Village’, which has only released a trailer on YouTube , is about the relocation of the Chinese community into new villages during the communist insurgency and appears to depict a love story between a woman from a Chinese new village and a communist during this period.

Following the release of the trailer, Umno Youth exco member Lokman Noor Adam yesterday questioned why this film was easily passed for public viewing when 'Tanda Putera' - set during the May 13, 1969, racial riots - had its showing repeatedly delayed.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi then pulled the screening of 'The New Village', slated to hit cinemas on Aug 22, and ordered the film to be reviewed further following protests from various quarters that it “glorified communism”.

'Tanda Putera' is slated for general release on Aug 29, seven days after "The New Village" was to have been released.

'Tanda Putera' has seen its screening postponed several times since last year.

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