The controversial local Chinese film, 'The New Village',  was banned two years ago because of its hidden message that distorted history and the community's perception by glorifying the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), the Home Ministry said.

"There were complaints against the film's screening, as it was alleged to idolise the struggle of CPM, reflect the cruelty of the British rulers but not show the cruelty of CPM at all," the ministry said in a written answer to Parliament yesterday.

The film showed the goodness of CPM toward the people living in new villages, it added.

"As such, the film has an hidden message, which distorts historical facts and the perception of the local Chinese community by glorifying the struggle of CPM," it said.

Ultimately, this led to the government banning the film in 2013.

The ministry said this in its written reply to Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping), who asked the government to state the real reasons for banning 'The New Village', and whether the government planned to amend the Film Censorship Act 1971.

In the reply, the ministry said the Film Censorship Board (LPF) had asked the film producer to redo the film to remove the offending elements.

Idolising communist ideologies

"However, the reedited film was found to still contain elements that could threaten the people's harmony and public order, mainly secretly idolising communist ideologies.

"As such the LPF can't approve 'The New Village' for public viewing and the film's producer has accepted LPF's decision," the ministry said.

It also noted that the Film Censorship Act 1971 has been abolished and replaced with the Film Censorship Act 2002.