AFTER receiving complaints from the public, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) has announced that it will meet up with the production team of local indie film Mentega Terbang.
JAKIM has already been asked to give an in-depth report to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) so that appropriate legal proceedings may be initiated in the future.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said JAKIM has reviewed the film’s content and concluded that it contradicts the Islamic religion.
Its department, according to Mohd Na’im, will not put up with any production content that contradicts the sanctity of Islam, especially if it stirs up controversy and threatens the harmony of the Malaysian community.
He also said that for follow-up procedures, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) was also asked to call the parties involved in the movie’s production.
The Syafie School of thinking, which Muslims in Malaysia have adopted, was believed to have been violated by the film.
“I would also like to advise local creatives to be more cautious in producing and distributing content to the public so that the government’s goals for Malaysia MADANI can be achieved.
“The public are also advised to be more cautious in choosing TV programmes to watch with their family, be it on an online platform or from any other channels so that they won’t be exposed to elements that could disrupt their creed,” he said.
In order to keep family members from being exposed to material that can undermine their Islamic religion, Mohd Na’im also urged the public to be more attentive while selecting shows for them to watch.
Mentega Terbang is currently free to watch on streaming platform Viu.
The movie covers the journey of 15-year-old Aishah, who gets intrigued about faith and the afterlife due to her mother’s deteriorating health. It touches on the differences and similarities of the major religions in Malaysia.
The movie has provoked outrage from several members of the public since it premiered on Viu in January, including from local singer Caprice and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), who reported the film to the authorities earlier this week. – March 2, 2023
