KUALA LUMPUR – The director and an actor of Mentega Terbang gave statements to the Bukit Aman this morning over a controversial movie on religious differences.
Free Malaysia Today reported that director Khairi Anwar Jailani and Arjun Thanaraju had been summoned.
The duo turned up at the federal police headquarters with lawyer Zaid Malek, who is representing them.
According to Zaid, the locally produced indie film is being investigated under Penal Code provisions for causing disharmony and statements that lead to public alarm and distress.
The film is also being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
Khairi and Arjun said that they gave police their full cooperation, but added that filmmakers should have the freedom to be creative.
The film, originally streamed on the Viu platform, has since been taken down.
The film became an issue after non-governmental organisations lodged police reports against it for containing scenes disturbing to Muslims.
This includes discussions about Muslims eating pork and comparisons between the teachings on life after death according to different religions.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar has said the film goes against Islamic theology, while the Home Ministry, which oversees the Film Censorship Board, said matters relating to the film are outside its purview, as the movie was only screened online.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission would be the correct agencies to investigate the film.
First released in 2021, Mentega Terbang premiered in Indonesia at the Jogja-Netpac Film Festival. – The Vibes, March 10, 2023
