KUALA LUMPUR – The screening of the controversial movie Mentega Terbang presently lies outside the purview of the Film Censorship Board (LPF) which has no record of the movie in its censorship files.
A Home Ministry spokesman said today that the movie is only available for viewing online via the internet.
Therefore, he said, the screening or streaming of this film is outside the jurisdiction of LPF.
“LPF is aware of the issues arising from the film titled Mentega Terbang which has gained attention among the general public in Malaysia after public comments for the film went viral on social media today.
“Based on the review, it was found that the film is not within the board’s censorship records. It is also available online. Therefore, the screening or streaming of the film is outside the jurisdiction of LPF," the spokesman said in a statement.
Mentega Terbang, which translates to “flying butter” in Malay and is also a wordplay on “butterfly, has been presented on the streaming platform Viu.
It has attracted criticism and anger from certain quarters who accused it of challenging the faith of Muslims.
The Malaysian movie is the first independent film to be shown on the Viu platform starting January 19.
It tells the story of a woman named Aisyah who is looking for an answer to what happens to people after they die.
To get the answer, she studies several religions such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism.
Earlier, the film was screened at the Jogja-Netpac Indonesia Film Festival in 2021 as well as the Aceh Film Festival, last year.
The ministry spokesman said LPF is always sensitive and committed to ensuring that negative elements, including elements that are contrary to Islamic beliefs, can be prevented from being broadcast, exhibited, disseminated, screened or distributed conventionally to the general public in this country.
The board is examining all relevant aspects thoroughly before further action can be taken with regards to this film.
“Accordingly, no LPF approval was issued on the film Mentega Terbang for the purpose of public screening,” the spokesman was reported as saying by Getaran, the Malay-language sister portal of The Vibes.
“If members of the public find that the film is being shown via conventional means at any premise, complaints can be channeled to the Film Censorship Board’s office at the Home Ministry,” he added.
Commenting further, he said, LPF performs duties based on the Film Censorship Act 2002 (Act 620) which stipulates the functions of screening films and film publicity materials that are broadcast, exhibited, disseminated, screened or distributed physically (conventionally) to the general public in Malaysia, except through internet.
He further said that in issuing a decision on the censorship of film content and film publicity materials, LPF will examine and give special attention based on the Home Ministry Film Censorship Guidelines 2010.
“It includes aspects such as public safety and order, religious, socio-cultural, order and discipline,” he said. – The Vibes, March 3, 2023
