KUALA LUMPUR – Budding teen actress Syumaila Salihin was summoned yesterday for police questioning over her role as Aisyah in the contentious indie film Mentega Terbang.
In addition, actors Firdaus Karim, Nik Waheeda Shyamala, and Khairunazwan Rodzy, as well as producer Tan Meng Kheng were at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters to have their statements taken.
While Tan said they gave their full cooperation during the questioning, he told reporters outside the station that filmmakers should be given the freedom to express their creativity.
“For me, Malaysia is a country of various races, religions, and beliefs. Therefore, we also have various views. We just want to show others that there are a few who share the same views found in the film.
“That’s it, not anything else.”
Meanwhile, their lawyer Zaid Malek said he is disappointed with the government which wants to reform all sectors including the film industry but restricts creative arts.
“Recently, our government congratulated Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh who won an Oscar for Best Actress. While she was widely praised, local filmmakers and artists are constrained and subjected to legal action.
“So, I don’t think the promised reforms will take place.”
Last week, the film’s director Khairi Anwar Jailani and actor Arjun Thanaraju were summoned to Bukit Aman police headquarters to give their statements.
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 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
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 it was only screened online.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the National Film Development Corporation and 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 15, 2023
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