KKMM asks Finas to review 'The New Village' movie

The Communication and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) has asked the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) to review the content of the film 'The New Village' which is scheduled for public screening in August.

A trailer of the film directed by Ong Kew-Lit has sparked heated discussions and drew various reactions over the film allegedly putting the struggle of the communists as heroes who liberated Malaya.

Communication and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the move was required to ensure no film which adversely affect or cause various negative feelings among Malaysians was screened.

"For me, if the movie promotes communism and causes racial misunderstanding, we will not hesitate to stop its screening.

"I have directed Finas to relook the film to see there are issues which could bring undesirable consequences and we will not hesistate to take the appropriate action," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after treating 120 orphans and needy children from around the Kemaman parliamentary constituency to buy Hari Raya clothes at a supermarket here.

According to Ahmad Shabery, who is also Kemaman MP, Finas can ban the movie if it was proven to raise racial sentiments and requested people not to condemn the film based on only the trailer, which is available on Youtube.

He said the movie's storyline needed to be studied carefully to ensure if it was really free of negative elements.

"If we ban the the movie without viewing it, I am afraid it will help promote film or its content, which could not be screened on cinemas...but there are other avenues such as online screening.

"I am ready to be criticised but give the opportunity to my ministry to view first and Finas will also review the film again. We will not compromise on elements which could cause unrest and threaten unity and we will stop it if it is proven," he said.

Based on the movie trailer starring Lenna Lim, Kevin Soo, Teh Young, Kevin Soo and Jeff Chin, it is a story about a communist in love with a Chinese girl leading to a conflict and gives the perception that the communists are heroes who liberated Malaya from British rule.