KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — Streaming platform iQIYI has agreed to temporarily remove the six episodes of local drama series Madu atau Racun that have already aired, while the remaining six will be postponed pending editing and reassessment.
All 12 episodes will be re-edited and reassessed before being made available again on the platform, with no specific timeframe set for the drama’s return.
The decision was reached at a meeting chaired by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib and attended by representatives from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), MIG Production Sdn Bhd (MIG), iQIYI, Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF), Malaysian Film Producers Association, Film Directors Association of Malaysia and Malaysian Television Producers Association.
The meeting, held at the P. Ramlee Mini Theatre at Finas Hulu Kelang yesterday, was for the government agencies and industry players to obtain an explanation from MIG and iQIYI following public concern over the drama’s content.
MIG and iQIYI apologised for the concerns caused and accepted the feedback raised during the meeting.
The re-editing process must take into account the Film Censorship Guidelines issued by the Film Censorship Board, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Content Code, as well as CMCF’s Online Curated Content (OCC) Guidelines.
Once re-edited, all 12 episodes will be submitted to an evaluation committee involving relevant agencies, including Jakim.
The drama’s return will depend on MIG and iQIYI submitting the revised episodes and the outcome of the evaluation.
Finas also clarified that it is not a content censorship body and does not have direct jurisdiction over content broadcast on over-the-top (OTT) platforms.
Under the Finas Act, its regulatory functions cover filmmaking activities, the licensing of production companies and cinemas, and other matters relating to the film industry.
CMCF regulates content on online platforms based on the content code and OCC guidelines, while LPF is responsible for film censorship for cinema screenings and certain content broadcast on free-to-air television.
MCMC regulates the communications and multimedia industry, including broadcasting.
Despite not directly regulating OTT content, Finas said it takes seriously any content that could cause public concern or touch on religious, racial or cultural sensitivities and social harmony.
It will therefore review and improve the terms and procedures for the Certificate of Filming Approval, including the possibility of introducing additional conditions requiring production companies to comply with relevant content guidelines and take responsibility for their content regardless of the medium or platform.
Finas said the move was intended to ensure production companies filming in Malaysia take appropriate responsibility for content produced for international, OTT and digital platforms.
It also urged producers and streaming platforms to comply with relevant guidelines, practise self-regulation and exercise creative freedom responsibly while taking into account societal values and the public interest.
