Beauty and the Beast fiasco: Malaysia firm not to allow movie release

The government remained firm in its stand to ban the screening of live action, Beauty and the Beast if Walt Disney Co (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd could not meet the Film Censorship Board’s request for a minor cut involving a scene deemed sensitive to the audiences in the country.

Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Datuk Nur Jazlan said his Ministry through the Censorship Board will only allow the screening if the film distributor has the stipulated regulation and act.

“Films concerning LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) are not allowed as the elements in the films would influence us and not beneficial to the country’s development,” he said at a media conference after attending the celebration of the 277th Prison Day and 2017 Anti-Drugs Day.

The event was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at Simpang Renggam Prison here today.

He was commenting on the Beauty and the Beast issue which screening to be postponed in the country over a gay scene in the movie.

Nur Jazlan also questioned Walt Disney’s refusal to cooperate with the Censorship Board to censor the scene in the movie.

“They can’t do that because the Malaysian market is relatively small … if it is not screened, movie operators will not lose much.

“If in China, Russia or United States of America, they would bow to the demand of their culture but Malaysia is so small, they want to play hero,” he said.

The film was to be screened in the country since yesterday, but had to be shelved as there was a controversy on the gay character, LeFou.