Two filmmakers involved in the production of a film banned in Malaysia have been charged with “hurting religious feelings” due to the movie’s content, drawing condemnation from multiple human rights bodies. The action is deemed as violating the freedom of opinion and expression.
The film, “Mentega Terbang,” premiered at a film festival in 2021, revolves around a Muslim girl grappling with existential queries about life after death. Criticized by conservative factions for allegedly contravening Islamic religious doctrine, the film was eventually banned in September 2023 under Section 26 of the Film Censorship Act 2002.
Producer Tan Meng Kheng and director Khairi Anwar Jailani were charged under the blasphemy provisions of Section 298 of the Penal Code, which treats any form of religious insult as a criminal offense. Anwar was granted bail at RM 6,000 and ordered to report to the police station once a month, while Meng was required to pay a RM 6,500 bail.
In the wake of these charges, nine human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Malaysia and the Freedom for Film Network condemned the Malaysian laws restricting freedom of expression and implored the government to withdraw the charges against the filmmakers.
The collective statement by these organizations discussed the arbitrariness and potential abuse of blasphemy provisions and their disproportionate targeting of minority groups and those with unpopular opinions. They argued that such provisions promote intolerance by curbing freedom of expression, thought, and religion, leading to potentially disastrous societal consequences.
The organizations further pointed out that Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which considers blasphemy laws as incompatible with human rights, is part of customary international law and thus has binding power over Malaysia. They thereby urged the Malaysian government to uphold its international obligations.