KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba urged Malaysians today to watch “Tanda Putera” for themselves before judging the controversial film that has earned widespread criticism for its portrayal of events during the May 13, 1969, riots.

The film, which premiered to a select audience at the Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) in Gardens Mid Valley yesterday, is only scheduled to hit public cinemas next Thursday but already its Facebook page has drawn brickbats from online critics who labelled it a “racist” flick.

“Boycott GSC,” a Facebook user called Raymond Thong wrote in response to GCS’s Facebook post showing 10 photographs of yesterday’s screening.

Another Facebook user named Contest Chris called it a, “bloody racist movie. Thumbs down”.

It is believed that the users have yet to watch the movie.

Speaking to The Malay Mail Online today, Shuhaimi came to her movie’s defence once again, explaining that “Tanda Putera” is essentialy about Malaysia’s second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and his deputy Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman - “two men who gave up everything, including their lives for the country”.

She said yesterday’s screening was merely to a limited audience, which included, “both Malay and non-Malay supporters and friends”.

“Friends and friends of friends, supporters who never tire in giving us moral support, were there for us - Malays and non-Malays,” Shuhaimi said.

“And yes, we hope Malaysians will come forward to support local films, and you can judge for yourselves once you’ve seen this movie,” she added, in apparent plea for fair viewing from Malaysians ahead of “Tanda Putera’s” public screening.

English daily The Star reported today that among those who attended the gala screening were cast members, such as actors Rusdi Ramli, Zizan Nin, Linda Hashim and Faezah Elai, as well as Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail and Raja Rozaimie Dalnish Shah, director-general of The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas).

The public screening of “Tanda Putera”, a RM4.8 million film on the bloody May 13, 1969 race riots, has been postponed a few times following complaints that it fictionalised the events of Malaysia’s turbulent historical period.

When contacted, Malaysian filmmaker James Lee said that he would not be watching “Tanda Putera” as there is “nothing exciting” about local movies.

“I stopped watching local movies for some time already because they’re not as great as Pacific Rim,” he told The Malay Mail Online today, referring to the Hollywood action blockbuster.

Another local filmmaker, Amir Muhammad, said that he will be focused on the Malaysian movie “KL Zombi” instead, that will also be out in cinemas next Thursday.

“My priority is KL Zombi since I’m involved in it,” Amir told The Malay Mail Online today.

He added that he would watch “Tanda Putera” at a later date.