Separate fact from fiction, filmmakers told
Published: Aug 27, 2013 7:16 AM | Updated: Aug 27, 2013 2:45 PM
The makers of Tanda Putera should be held responsible if "societal havoc" occurs as a result of the fictionalisation of events surrounding the May 13 riots depicted in the movie, MCA Youth says.
The makers of Tanda Putera should be held responsible if "societal havoc" occurs as a result of the fictionalisation of events surrounding the May 13 riots depicted in the movie, MCA Youth says.
The urinating scene in the movie portrayed the Chinese community in bad light, but it was not made clear that the scene was purely fictional, MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong (left) said in a press statement today.
"If, in the unintended scenario, societal havoc ensues as a result of movie-goers affected by the urinating scene, (director) Shuhaimi Baba and others involved in directing and producing the film must shoulder the responsibility," said Wee.
The scene involves a group of Chinese youths urinating on a flag pole at former Selangor menteri besar Harun Idris' residence in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
However, a witness, Ahmad Habib, has come out to dispute the veracity of this claim. Ahmad said the flag pole was located within the compound of the house, which was guarded by thousands of people and surrounded by a brick wall.
Shuhaimi has declined comment on this.
Wee said although Shuhaimi had claimed that she had to adopt some degree of "creative licence" to produce the film, it must not be abused to point fingers at anybody or at a particular race.
"To do so, then the film makers should from the start concede that the film is a work of fiction. There must be distinct separation between historical facts and pure fiction," he said.
He warned that implying the guilt on the part of a particular race was "simply irresponsible" and could harm Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's efforts in bringing national reconciliation.
"What more when the release of Tanda Putera comes just a few days before Malaysia celebrates our 56th year of Independence," Wee added.
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The urinating scene in the movie portrayed the Chinese community in bad light, but it was not made clear that the scene was purely fictional, MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong (left) said in a press statement today."If, in the unintended scenario, societal havoc ensues as a result of movie-goers affected by the urinating scene, (director) Shuhaimi Baba and others involved in directing and producing the film must shoulder the responsibility," said Wee.
The scene involves a group of Chinese youths urinating on a flag pole at former Selangor menteri besar Harun Idris' residence in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur.
However, a witness, Ahmad Habib, has come out to dispute the veracity of this claim. Ahmad said the flag pole was located within the compound of the house, which was guarded by thousands of people and surrounded by a brick wall.
Shuhaimi has declined comment on this.
Wee said although Shuhaimi had claimed that she had to adopt some degree of "creative licence" to produce the film, it must not be abused to point fingers at anybody or at a particular race.
"To do so, then the film makers should from the start concede that the film is a work of fiction. There must be distinct separation between historical facts and pure fiction," he said.
He warned that implying the guilt on the part of a particular race was "simply irresponsible" and could harm Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's efforts in bringing national reconciliation.
"What more when the release of Tanda Putera comes just a few days before Malaysia celebrates our 56th year of Independence," Wee added.
Related stories
Malaysian Spring dawns amidst political messages
Kit Siang wants RCI on May 13 bloodletting
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