Saifuddin: Improper to invite students to watch Anwar’s biopic film

INDERA Mahkota-Perikatan Nasional (PN) MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah argued that the Education Ministry should not be allowing students to watch the biopic film on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

If students are invited to the screening of “Anwar: The Untold Story” because they are of voting age, then the film’s screening is a political campaign, according to the Bersatu MP.

“While it is not wrong for ministries to invite students for film screenings, it was not appropriate for a ‘propaganda film like this’,” said Saifuddin on the news that Form Six students from SMK Putrajaya Presint 5 were invited to a screening of the biopic at a cinema on Tuesday (May 23) night.

The invitation was extended by the office of Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who was among those who attended the screening at a mall in Putrajaya.

However, SMK Putrajaya Presint 5 Form 6 senior assistant Suziyah Selamat stated that students were not coerced into going to the screening.

“The content of the film, which was released on May 18, was relevant to the Form 6 curriculum as it touches on the issues of corruption and governance,” added Suziyah.

Set between 1993 and 1998, the film depicts Anwar’s time as deputy prime minister and finance minister, his opposition to corruption and his imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin further inquired whether screenings were being held for students as the film was not doing well in cinemas.

Last week, the film’s distributor DMY Creation claimed that certain cinemas had refused to screen the film, causing sales to fall short of the target.

“Why did the community communications department (J-Kom) hold a programme with Form Six students from three schools at SMK Baling Kedah in March? Is the government using students to disseminate ‘cheap propaganda’?” questioned the Opposition MP.

Furthermore, Saifuddin noted that PN had suggested that the education system needs to be reformed, but it seems like this government is using education as a political indoctrination tool. — May 25, 2023

 

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