The government has barred the showing of a Merdeka-themed play, claiming that it "touches on local sensitivities" and is a "threat to national security".

According to local theatre group Rumah Anak Theatre (RAT), the play 'MERdEKAnya KITA' staged by Singapore group Teater KAMi was supposed to include scenes on the royal institution and taxation.

NONE According to RAT spokesperson Faisal Mustaffa, he was also informed by Communications and Multimedia Ministry officials that the show undermined racial harmony and gave the impression that Singaporeans were "belittling" Malaysians.

Speaking to the media after the preview show in Kuala Lumpur last night, Faisal said RAT was now in the process of appealing the matter. The play was supposed to open tonight.

He said the final decision on the ban would be known today, and refunds would be given for tickets sold if the appeal failed.

"I have spent a month and a half on this show. I sent the synopsis, full script, directors' and actors biodatas. The dossier was as thick as the Kamus Dewan. I have went back and forth many times but finally, it is banned. I feel bullied.

NONE "This is a new trend.

"In 2004, plays like Election Day were still allowed as long as certain names were removed so Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, for example was replaced with 'Lady in the tudung' and Anwar Ibrahim  was called 'former deputy prime minister'.

"But this time it has been rejected 100 percent," he said.

In a letter to RAT on Tuesday, the ministry said that the script and synopsis showed that the scenes "touched local sensitivities especially on the political and social aspects".

"We regret to inform that the Central Application Agency for Foreign Films and Shows (JK-Puspal) cannot consider your application (to show the play)," stated JK-Puspal secretariat representative Azi Azri Rahim in the letter.

Director in tears

The initial ban had clearly moved director Atin Amat, who emotionally defended the play last night.

In tears, she told the media that while she stood by every part of the play, she was willing to make compromises to adhere to regulations.

NONE She said the play, which dealt with the independence struggles of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia and funded by the National Arts Council Singapore, was previously shown in Singapore and Indonesia.

"I am disappointed. We had no ill-intentions. This would not break us.

"If it had truly threatened national security, then Singapore too would not have allowed it. The laws are more strict there," she said.

Atin also added that she sincerely respected Malaysia's independence struggle and had even planned to attend the National Day parade after the show concluded its two-day run on Aug 30.

According to Teater KAMi's Facebook page, 'MERdEKAnya KITA' was a stage play that portrayed the meaning of independence from the viewpoint of the people in the Malay Archipelago, unveiling the definition of independence from the eyes of the commoners.

"Audience woukd be brought to various periods of time in history to see how people in this region discussed about their ideas of independence and how it had affected their lives," it said.

News of the ban came as the Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang government issued an "advisory" to cinemas in the state not to screen the film Tanda Putera .

Yesterday, the Negaraku was played in cinemas for the first time in decades, while cinema-goers were shown two patriotic short films before the main feature, as part of the ministry's National Day campaign.