Ministry to refer to AG on banning of 'Tanda Putera' in Penang

The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia will refer to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action regarding the decision of the Penang state government to ban the screening of the film 'Tanda Putera'.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said a meeting between the ministry and the A-G's Chambers would be held Thursday afternoon to look at any suitable provisions in the law that could be adopted.

"The jurisdiction on issuing licences to the theatres lies with the Malaysian National Film Development Corporation (FINAS). (Meanwhile) the jurisdiction on the opening or building of a theatre and so on, lies with the local government.

"Thus, if a conflict such as this occurs, we will look into matters that can be done or otherwise from the legal perspective. We respect the law, to us, this is something new," he said when commenting on the banning of the screening of the patriotic film,'Tanda Putera', in Penang.

When approached by reporters after attending the Merdeka Day rehearsal at the Dataran Merdeka, in the capital, he said 'Tanda Putera' was given a 'must screen' status but when faced with such a directive from the local government, the ministry had to do something to tackle the matter.

Describing the action of the Penang state government as irrational, Ahmad Shabery felt that the state government was 'narrow minded' and adopted an authoritarian attitude for making a drastic decision without watching the film first.

"The film will later be screened on government TV networks, digital video discs, Astro First and others.

"I want to know too whether the Penang government will also ban the people from watching Astro, television so that the film will not enter the state's border," he said in jest.

The film 'Tanda Putera', directed by Datin Paduka Suhaimi Baba, revolves around the May 13 incident and would be screened to the public throughout the country beginning Thursday.

Meanwhile in GEORGE TOWN, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng pointed out Thursday that the state government merely issued an advice and did not prevent any theatre in the state from screening the film 'Tanda Putera'.

He said that no action would be taken against operators of theatres who ignored the advice of the state government.

"In refuting the slander by the media controlled by the BN (Barisan Nasional), the Penang state government reiterated that no one would be prevented from watching the film in Penang.

At a press conference Wednesday, Lim had said that the DAP-led state government had advised theatre operators in the state not to screen the film 'Tanda Putera', claiming that it contained sensitive issues and was slanderous.

The film, directed by Datuk Shuhaimi Baba and starred by Rusdi Ramli as Tun Abdul Razak and Zizan Nin as Tun Dr Ismail, was being screened simultaenously in 60 theatres nationwide.

"The state government could only give the advice as a moral compass and there was no protest against the film which provoked racial sentiments and hatred," he said.

Meanwhile, Golden Screen Cinema (GSC) via its website had announced that the film 'Tanda Putera' would not be screened in Penang in compliance with the advice announced Wednesday.

According to the announcement, GSC would refund the ticket holders who had bought the ticket for the film beginning 5pm Thursday, within one week from the date of screening of the film.

A check by Bernama at several theatres in Queensbay Mall, 1st Avenue, Prangin Mall, Kompleks Bukit Jambul and Gurney Plaza revealed that the film was not screened.