Unfair to ban 'New Village' on trailer alone, says Shabery

Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek has said is unfair to judge 'The New Village' film based on its trailer release alone and said a "rational" decision must now be made on its fate.

The minister (left), however, said he was not surprised that the film has drawn protests from Umno Youth and party-owned Utusan Malaysia, as DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang too “overreacted”
to another controversial ‘Tanda Putera’ film after the screening of its trailer.

"Honestly speaking, I haven't seen (the full movie) and it is unfair if I make a comment based on what I have not seen," he told reporters. 

"But I understand there are those who are not rational... but it is the leaders’ fault."

Ahmad Shabery clarified that his ministry did not have the final say on whether 'The New Village' would be shown in cinemas. 

He said that the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) was only in charge of promoting and ensuring fair play for the local film industry, while film censorship board, which decides suitable content for public viewing, was under the Home Ministry.

"By right, all leaders must be more rational, open-minded and I am sure when KDN (Home Ministry) makes the final decision, it will have a rational of its own on this issue," Ahmad Shabery told reporters after launching the nationwide expansion of TM Net's online HyppTV.

‘The New Village’, which has only released a trailer onYouTube, talks about the relocation of the Chinese community into new villages during the communist insurgency and appears to depict a love story between a Chinese new village woman and a communist during this.

Following the release of the trailer, Umno Youth exco Lokman Noor Adam yesterday questioned why this film was easily passed through for public viewing when another"Tanda Putera" - set during the May 13, 1969 riots - had its showing delayed repeatedly. 

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi then pulled the screening of 'The New Village', slated to hit cinemas on August 22, and ordered the movie’s content be further reviewed following protests from various quarters that it “glorified communism”.

Tanda Putera is slated for general release on August 29, seven days after "The New Village" was to have been released. 

Tanda Putera has seen its screening postponed numerous times from last year.