The Future of Cinema and Censorship in Malaysia

On 22 March 2017, Lena Hendry was convicted under Section 6(1)(b) of the Film Censorship Act, 2002 and subsequently sentenced to a fine of RM 10,000 for screening the documentary ‘No Fire Zone: The killing fields of Sri Lanka’ without censorship approval. It is learnt now that the Attorney General Chambers will appeal against this sentencing presumably to increase the sentencing. Lena can face up to three years’ jail or a fine not exceeding RM 30,000. The pursuit by the authorities against Lena by using Section 6 of the Film Censorship Act has thrown open the question – can any video not approved by the censorship board, whether or not the content of the film has a negative effect on the public be criminalised? Is screening films truly a crime? Does the Film Censorship Act threaten freedom of expression and the vibrancy of Malaysian cinema? Is the Censorship Board necessary in this day and age? Does film censorship in Malaysia truly keep Malaysians safe?