MAS screening of 'Tanda Putera' raises DAP's ire

The decision by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to screen the controversial 'Tanda Putera' movie has raised DAP's ire - it's querying the company's motives.

"What motivation from this hugely unpopular and discredited film can inspire MAS staff to scale greater heights, especially in turning around its huge losses?" said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in a statement today.

MAS had announced that it will screen the film to commemorate its 41st anniversary.

Lim (left) described this as an "insult" to the airline's customers, claiming that the film is "historically inaccurate, racially offensive and derogatory".

'Tanda Putera' is a film telling of the friendship between then prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein and Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman amidst the backdrop of the 1969 race riots.

However, the film has come under fire due to claims that its presentation of that controversial and painful period of Malaysian history is biased.

Lim pointed out that the filmmakers had already apologised to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang for making inaccurate accusations against the politician in relation to the May 13 riots.

‘Where did all the money go?'

The Penang chief minister added that instead of focusing on to turning over its losses, MAS is muddling into a political controversy.

"The public has a right to ask the value of money for some RM19 billion spent by the federal government since 1998 to keep MAS solvent, including guaranteeing RM12.3 billion of MAS' borrowings," he said.

In contrast, he said competitor AirAsia which had not taken a single cent of public funds has consistently outperformed MAS and is now better than MAS in market capitalisation, planes, and share price.

"'Tanda Putera' is filled with political controversy as it was intended as a weapon of fear to help BN win Malay votes.

"By showing a political film filled with lies as a special treat for its staff to celebrate its 41st anniversary, MAS is sending the wrong signal that MAS has lost its way," he said.