KUALA TERENGGANU: Malaysia has stepped up security around the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur following protests around the world over a film which has offended Muslims by allegedly portraying Prophet Muhammad negatively.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Saturday that his ministry understood the outrage felt by Muslims worldwide and the reason for the protests targetting the party Muslims felt was responsible.

A 14-minute video clip, said to be a trailer that mocked and insulted Islam and the Prophet, was posted on Youtube in July, angering Muslims worldwide.

"I understand the hidden agenda of such a movie in wanting to provoke a negative reaction from the Muslim community.

"We are also monitoring the US embassy as part of security and safety measures," Hishammuddin told journalists after launching the Hulu Terengganu Umno meeting here on Saturday.

"Personally, I cannot accept the content of the film," he said.

He added the ministry had not received any application from the movie distributor to screen the controversial film in Malaysia.

"It is under the purview of the Film Censorship Board,” he said.

In LUMUT, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir called on the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to do something about blocking the Youtube trailers.

“The film casting Prophet Muhammad and Islam in a negative light has infuriated Muslims worldwide,” he told reporters after attending his Hari Raya Open House in Dewan Merdeka on Saturady.

Dr Zambry said several Middle Eastern countries had banned the film in their countries following a series of protests carried out there.

In Los Angeles on Thursday, a 55-year old man, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, who is thought to have uploaded the Youtube clip using the pseudonym “Sam Bacile”, was placed under police protection following the protests.

The video clip of the movie “Innocence of Muslims” sparked protests on Thursday against the American Embassies in Egypt and Yemen, and led to demonstrations in Iraq, Iran, Tunisia and Bangladesh.

An earlier attack on the American consulate in Libya on Tuesday, which killed the US Ambassador and three other foreign service workers, was at first thought to be linked to the protests, but investigators reportedly said that they now suspect it was an extremist plot.

Related Stories:
Muhyiddin condemns film insulting the Prophet Muhammad
Group protests against anti-Islam video in front of American Embassy
Umno, PAS hit out at US movie

• Affin Q1 earnings decline on lower share from associate
• Tenaga unit issues RM1.62b Sukuk for Penang power plant
• Fajar Baru posts RM1.5m net profit, optimistic on growth
• Malaysia's KLCI closes nearly 8pt up, IOI Corp, CIMB advance
• Little sign Abe can shake up Japan's inbound FDI
• Ideal Jacobs steps up expansion in China
• TH Plantations to complete Kalimantan land purchase by June
• Time dotCom in search of more acquisitions
• Battersea Power Station's Phase 1 records RM3.12b sales
• Maybank considering internal, external candidates for CEO
• Instacom bags RM205m telco job in Sarawak
• BToto hopes to list business trust in Singapore end-August
• KLCI up nearly 8pt midday, banks, O&G lead gainers (Update)
• Despite curbs, China's vast hot money triangle flourishes
• RHB Research maintains Neutral on auto sector

• USGS: Magnitude 6.8 earthquake strikes off Chile
• Yahoo! looks to Tumblr as elixir for revival
• Burial place of Argentina's Videla a mystery
• Britain's Cameron makes personal plea to tax havens
• Beatles guitar auctioned for $408,000 in US

• Golf: Johnson triumphs by one stroke at Mobile Bay LPGA
• Chong Wei urges team-mates to bounce back from shock defeat to Taiwan
• Kien Keat-Boon Heong may not play in Group C tie against Germany
• Koo-Tan’s stunning loss rocks Malaysian camp
• Kjaersfeldt ready to continue strong Danish tradition
• Sindhu shines for India after spectacular performance
• Danial shatters 100m mark as four records fall on opening day
• Pavithraa in sizzling form despite the heat
• Wee Wern relishes playing at unique venue ... a football stadium
• Coach Irving has no doubts Nicol will peak at the right time
• ‘Comeback king’ Timothy lands his second title
• KLHC to the fore again
• New Cheras velodrome may steal limelight from RM80mil Labu project
• Azlan and Zamri do Malaysia proud in ARRC race at Sentul
• Broken clutch lever costs Hafizh dearly in Le Mans

• Please wait.

• MPs can earn up to RM10,000 per month
• Ten important items for you to prepare for the inevitable
• Abdul Wahid and Paul Low taking huge pay cuts
• Professionals warn there is too much of office space in the Klang Valley
• Should Sime Darby also demerge; big values can be created by spinning off companies
• Battersea Power Station's Phase 1 records RM3.12b sales
• Take action against Kian Ming, voter told
• Analysis - Little sign Abe can shake up Japan's inbound FDI
• BToto hopes to list business trust in Singapore end-August
• Stern action awaits rally-goers