KUALA LUMPUR – Mentega Terbang director and producers are suing the Malaysian government and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail against the prohibition order against the indie film.
The judicial review application was filed in Kuala Lumpur High Court on December 1, and the hearing is fixed for January 31 next year, said Lawyers for Liberty in a brief statement.
The applicants are seeking orders to quash Saifuddin’s decision to compel him to revoke the gazette dated September 1 and for a declaration that Section 26 of the Film Censorship Act 2002 is unconstitutional.
A federal government gazette published by the Attorney-General’s Chambers on September 1, which was signed by Saifuddin on August 21, stated that the minister made the order under Section 26 of the Film Censorship Act 2002 (Act 620).
“The minister prohibits the exhibition, display, distribution, possession, circulation, or sale of the film described in the schedule, which is contrary to the public interest in Malaysia.”
Originally released in 2021, Mentega Terbang premiered in Indonesia at the Jogja-Netpac Film Festival.
In March this year, the film garnered criticism and anger from the public as it allegedly featured scenes with elements that contradicted religious beliefs.
Teen actress Syumaila Salihin was later summoned by police for questioning over her role as a character in the film, with film director Khairi Anwar having been questioned by police a week before.
The police investigation followed reports being lodged against the film for supposedly containing scenes disturbing to Muslims, including discussions on Muslims eating pork and comparisons between the teachings on life after death according to different religions.
Police had also investigated death threats against several individuals involved with the film, including Khairi, who had his car splashed with red and black paint, while the perpetrators also left handwritten threats on slips of paper. – December 8, 2023