Netizens troll Saifuddin's announcement on Finas licence requirements
Netizens are expressing concern and making fun of the new announcement by Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah that all filming requires a licence from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) even for personal social media.
Some are questioning the effects of such a law on public and social media.
Others, meanwhile, are sharing cat videos and wondering whether ministers are breaking the law themselves by posting videos on their social media.
Saifuddin had posted a video of him attending a youth event on his...
Netizens are expressing concern and making fun of the new announcement by Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah that all filming requires a licence from the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) even for personal social media.
Some are questioning the effects of such a law on public and social media.
Others, meanwhile, are sharing cat videos and wondering whether ministers are breaking the law themselves by posting videos on their social media.
Saifuddin had posted a video of him attending a youth event on his Twitter yesterday, prompting netizens to ask whether he had a Finas licence to do so.
“We want to see the approved licence for this video to be published or we will make mass reports,” one Twitter user joked in the replies.
“Dear minister, do you have a licence to air and distribute this video?” another asked.
DAP’s Ketari assemblyperson Young Syefura Othman was one of the few who posted a video of a cat on her Twitter account, asking whether she needed a licence for the video.
Another cat video was posted by Twitter user Amirul Ruslan who captioned the video with, “Just letting you know that I do not have a Finas licence to publish this film. Please do not report me to the authorities”.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also posted a video of him in various locations in his constituency, asking whether he needed to pay RM50,000 for a Finas licence to do so.
“Please give me a chance. Most netizens cannot afford to pay RM50,000 to post videos on social media,” he said.
Comedian Jason Leong posted a video of himself appealing to the public to donate to him so he can apply for a licence for his “next social media video”, which he said is about his neighbour’s cat and its bowel movements.
Twitter users also question whether all YouTubers or those on the TikTok social platform will be considered breaking the law.
Social activist Marina Mahathir asked whether this means the Higher Education Ministry was promoting illegal activities when she urged the public to make TikTok videos during the movement control order (MCO).
Some other Twitter users criticised the new announcement, saying that it will further restrict Malaysian content creators.
“This will actually hurt the entire independent film industry. And you will even put teenagers with big dreams out of hope.
“Please reconsider, or at least make it easier for them to get that licence, cause I’ve read the Finas requirements page,” Twitter user Emillio Daniel said.
It was reported earlier today that Saifuddin had said all filming, including for personal social media must have a licence from Finas.
When asked how this would affect people who use social media platforms, he said that all content creation is subject to regulations.
"It is mandatory for film producers to apply for a film production licence and filming certification letter, regardless of whether they are mainstream media or personal media that publish their film on social media or traditional channels," he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
"We encourage everyone, big or small, young or old, individuals or organisations to produce any type of film... as long as it follows the existing laws," he added to a follow-up question regarding social media videos.
The Finas Act defines films as recordings on any material, including feature films, short films, short subject films, trailers, documentaries and advertising filmlets.
According to Finas' website, to qualify for a film or video production licence, one must have a registered company (sendirian berhad), with RM50,000 paid-up capital.
Report this comment
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.