The Penang State Government issued an advisory, not a ban and no action will be taken against any cinema operators in Penang who continue to screen “Tanda Putera”. Just like any travel advisory issued by the government for the safety of citizens travelling in strife-torn or dangerous countries, this advisory is issued to cinema operators to highlight to the public the dangerous lies in this film that can only threaten and tear the fabric of national and racial unity in the country.
Just as no action is taken against citizens who risk their personal safety by ignoring such travel advisories, no action will be taken against cinema operators who ignore the state government’s advisory. To rebut the lies by the BN-controlled media, the Penang state government reiterates that it will not stop anyone who wants to see the film in Penang. Both local councils Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang and Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai will not punish cinema operators in Penang for screening the film.
The Penang state government has taken this step to issue an advisory because the film has crossed a red line in using public funds to propagate lies that promotes hatred instead of racial harmony between the various races in Malaysia. “Tanda Putera” was produced at a cost of RM4.8 million provided by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) and the Multimedia Development Corporation (Mdec).
The Federal government’s sponsorship of the film can only be seen as a full official endorsement of the film, including fictitious scenes which the director admits are untrue but is explained as “creative license”. Creative license does not give anyone the license to spread lies that may cause racial disharmony and conflicts. This raises questions whether by promoting racial hatred against minorities, blaming minorities as the source of all problems and even using the minorities is part of the justification and excuse for abuses of power and corruption.
The Penang state government is concerned that the demonization of minorities in the film may lead to future brutalisation of their rights and that of any Malaysian who advocates universal human rights for all. As a form of moral compass, this advisory is all the Penang state government can do to strongly object against a film that provokes racist sentiments and embodies racial hatred.
We passionately believe that hating any racial groups is akin to hating humanity as we all belong to one race – the human race. Let us show that Malaysia has the capacity to be the best it could be regardless of race or religion.