Finas Act amendments not to censor streaming platforms - minister

Summary

• Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil says amendments to the Finas Act are meant to modernise the law and won’t censor streaming platforms.

• He adds that the cabinet meeting today didn’t discuss ex-Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.

• The govt spokesperson also says the 15 Palestinians to be resettled in Malaysia will be closely monitored.

Proposed amendments to the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) Act will not include censoring streaming platforms, assured Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He highlighted that the Act does not have jurisdiction over censoring films, with the task instead being handled by the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia.

The Finas Act, he said, covers the film production process, with the potential amendments aimed at ensuring the legislation can keep up with advancements in the industry.

“(The amendments) won’t touch on the aspect (of censoring streaming platforms),” Fahmi told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

He also noted that the bill is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in June or by the end of the year after the cabinet today approved the suggested amendments in principle.

The amendments, Fahmi said, would strengthen Finas’ role in managing the film sector while also improving protection for cast and crew members.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said the issue of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and handover to the International Criminal Court (ICC) was not discussed during today’s cabinet meeting.

He was asked about Malaysia’s stance on the topic, considering its position as Asean chair and concerns about illegality and potential foreign intervention in the region.

It was previously reported that the Philippine Senate will be investigating the matter to establish whether due process was followed.

Resettling Palestinians in M’sia

On a separate matter, Fahmi said the 15 Palestinians to be resettled in Malaysia after their release from Israeli detention will be strictly monitored.

Noting that the resettlement process has yet to begin, he said aspects such as their locations, movements, and activities will be enforced by local security agencies.

He added that the 15 are part of 380 Palestinians who were freed under the ceasefire deal but not allowed to return to Palestinian territories.

The decision to bring in the individuals, Fahmi said, was part of an agreement reached among members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, with Qatar and Turkey agreeing to take in 100 Palestinians each.

Yesterday, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia is prepared to accept the 15 Palestinians.

Earlier this year, the Malaysian Armed Forces confirmed an incident where Palestinians housed at Wisma Transit Kuala Lumpur organised a protest, stemming from their wish to expedite their return to Palestine.

A similar incident occurred in October last year, involving Palestinians expressing dissatisfaction over being housed at the transit centre and restrictions on their movement.

Malaysia brought in 127 Palestinians, including 41 injured individuals affected by Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, to its shores for medical treatment, on Aug 16 last year.

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