KUALA LUMPUR: It is unnecessary for the film producer of "Anwar: The Untold Story" to obtain any script review or approval from the police, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
In a parliamentary written reply, the Home Minister said that the processes related to the production and screening of a film were carried out by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), under the Communications and Digital Ministry.
"Once the film is completed and ready for public viewing, it must obtain approval from the Film Censorship Board (LPF), Home Ministry, in accordance with the powers granted under the Film Censorship Act 2002," he said.
Saiifuddin said this in reply to a question from Datuk Muslimin Yahaya (PN-Sungai Besar).
Muslimin had asked the Home Ministry whether the police were involved in the filming process of “Anwar: The Untold Story” and whether the script had received approval from the police.
Saifuddin said that the script review for the film "Anwar The Untold Story" was not conducted by the police as it is not a requirement for film producers under any Act or legislation to obtain script approval from the police force.
"However, the police are involved in the re-evaluation (review) of the film's content, together with LPF based on the Home Ministry Film Censorship Guidelines 2010,” said Saifuddin.
He added that these guidelines encompass four main aspects; public safety and security; religion, socio-cultural considerations, public order as well as morality.
"Anwar: The Untold Story" began screening at cinemas nationwide on May 18.
The movie follows the journey of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in fighting against bribery and corruption.
It stars Farid Kamil as Anwar, Acha Septriasa as Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Hasnul Rahmat as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
