Petronas ad: Filmmaker says producer of 'Rubber Boy' stole her idea

The 2016 Chinese New Year (CNY) advertisement by Petronas titled ‘Rubber Boy’ have touched the hearts of its viewers as it explores the story of a mother and son going through life’s hardships.

However, a filmmaker is now claiming that her idea was plagiarised by advertising agency Leo Burnett Malaysia, which produced the advertisement.

This was revealed by Da Huang Pictures filmmaker Tan Chui Mui, in a series of statements uploaded on Facebook.

She said the idea was based on the experience of a childhood friend, whose mother was a rubber tapper.

READ: 'Rubber Boy is my family's story', says Leo Burnett creative director

“My team from Da Huang Pictures had proposed a story to the agency, with casting, locations, reference films, and also a full script. The proposal was for the Petronas CNY advertisement in year 2015.

“That year, our story was not selected, and there were also no Petronas CNY advertisement in 2015.

“However, Leo Burnett went ahead and used our story for the Petronas CNY in 2016, which is really shocking. This is more than just stealing story,” she said, when contacted by Astro AWANI to elaborate on the situation.

She then explained that her scriptwriter John Cho We Jun and producer Beatrice Leong had a meeting with Leo Burnett in February.

“I was not present at that meeting as I was pregnant. There were no real talk, except they were told that we can't sue them under Malaysian Law.

“I was not too interested in legal action, unless it is for the better change of the creative industry,” she said.

She also mentioned about the tough pitching session in order to produce a story idea for presentation.

“Often we were taken for granted. We are supposed to work for free during the pitching stage,” she said.

Seeking recognition for original idea

Scriptwriter John Cho We Jun expressed his dissatisfaction at Leo Burnett for not recognising that the original idea for ‘Rubber Boy’ was from Chui Mui.

“The original story was entitled ‘Growing Up’, if I am not mistaken. We had a man in the present day reminiscing about his relationship with his mother, the rubber tapper.

“And though parts of it had been modified, and even if its theme has shifted slightly, it is predominantly the same film.

“I think it is only fair to seek recognition for our work,” he told Astro AWANI.

Leo Burnett’s response

Meanwhile, Leo Burnett Group Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Tan Kien Eng replied to Chui Mui’s Facebook status.

He said he would like to meet Chui Mui to understand the situation before any actions are taken.

“I don't endorse plagiarism. I contacted the team immediately after someone alerted me on your post and the writer from LB (Leo Burnett) has his side of the story.

“I would like to meet both of you at your convenience for me to fully understand both sides for me to take action,” he said on Facebook.