PUTRAJAYA, Sept 1 — The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) and the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) will meet this evening with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to seek clarification over the controversy surrounding the streaming of local drama Madu atau Racun on iQIYI.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said he had contacted Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib regarding the matter.
“CMCF, which is under the purview of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and Finas will hold a meeting to obtain a comprehensive explanation.
“Jakim will also take part,” he said at his weekly press conference here today.
According to Fahmi, OTT streaming services are currently not fully subject to the licensing framework.
He also said that the government will not compromise with production companies whose works touch on religious and racial sensitivities.
“The government stresses that it will not compromise with production companies that touch on religious and racial sensitivities in their works.
“Creative freedom must be balanced with the racial and cultural sensitivities that form the core and foundation of our country,” he said.
Fahmi said the government would take appropriate action regarding the matter.
Finas is also expected to issue a statement on the outcome of the discussion.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) announced that it had rejected the streaming of the drama Madu atau Racun, which it said had caused unease and controversy among members of the public.
Zulkifli Hasan, the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, said the department regretted the inclusion of elements that touched on religious sensitivities and local cultural norms, whether explicitly or implicitly.
