PKR MP urges govt to abolish film licensing requirements in Finas Act
A PKR leader today called on the government to review the functions of the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) Act 1981 and to abolish current film licensing requirements under the law.
PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (photo, above) said Section 22(1) of the Act, which is on the need for a licence to distribute, exhibit or produce any moving images, is no longer relevant in today's context...
A PKR leader today called on the government to review the functions of the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) Act 1981 and to abolish current film licensing requirements under the law.
PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (photo, above) said Section 22(1) of the Act, which is on the need for a licence to distribute, exhibit or produce any moving images, is no longer relevant in today's context.
"The requirement for individuals to obtain a Finas licence must be abolished.
"At the same time, to give a leeway for media practitioners to meet the licensing requirement, the cabinet should make a decision to not subject them to provisions under Section 22(1), and not take actions against Al Jazeera," he said.
Shamsul clarified that PKR does not deny the need to "control materials" that could impact the country's peace and harmony, but he stressed that there is an important need for creative content development.
"The environment in the 1980s and today is vastly different," he said, referring to when the Act was first mooted. He added that the provision cannot be used to address current enforcement and development challenges.
Among others, he said the licensing requirement not only goes against the policy of no censorship for online content but also overlaps with provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah was heavily criticised since yesterday, after he told the Dewan Rakyat that a licence from Finas is required for all filming activities in Malaysia, even for personal use on social media.
He later clarified that the government does not intend to use the Act to stifle personal freedoms and that what he said in Parliament, in response to Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, was merely to explain the Finas Act as it currently stands.
However, Shamsul argued that Saifuddin's statement and clarification only further highlighted that there is no clear policy in terms of film production, development and distribution.
PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil had last night demanded Saifuddin's resignation after "three major missteps", which included the latest Finas controversy.
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