PUTRAJAYA - The Home Ministry has banned the screening and publicity of the local indie film Mentega Terbang.
The order was made through Government Gazette P.U (A) 2662 Film Censorship Act 2002, the Film Censorship (Prohibition) Order 2023 dated 21 August 2023 and has been signed by its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.
Previously, the film was screened through a video streaming platform and had attracted public criticism and annoyance, following the film allegedly showing scenes with elements of conflicting beliefs and religious beliefs.
The results of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department's (Jakim) research into the content of the film also found that there is a clear contradiction with the beliefs and way of life of Muslims in Malaysia who follow the Syafie sect.
The one hour 44 minute independent film was directed by Khairi Anwar in 2012, and tells the story of a Muslim teenager by the name of Aisyah, and the religious conflict she experiences.
The movie also carries the theme of the theology of other major religions, especially the question of life after death.