MY LONG-SHORT STORY OF CENSORSHIP WOES

I had this to share. My experiences on the 'hype' of censorship by 'certain quarters' on things 'they considered' deemed unfit for Malaysians.

I experienced all form of media 'censorship' right from the date I was first commissioned as a 'fully-fledged' Television Practitioner – as RTM employee in 1971.

Having served Radio Television Malaysia for more than 30 years, (retired in 1996 as RTM Managing Director) and with the emergence of multilevel mass communication outlets, I am of the opinion that there is now the need to 'redesign' and reform the country's censorship act.

I remember, as a Public Broadcaster, right from it's inception, RTM's programming 'gate keeping' censorship was 'fluid' yet 'rigid'. Government policy and public interests must be adhered to fully. And those policies changed with times.

No programme considered fit for broadcast without undergoing stringent censorship and approved by Ministry's of Information Directorate as well The Government Censor Board.

Even Government Sponsored video or film campaigns were not spared. Some had to go under the axe if they failed to fulfill the censorship demands.

I remember 2 filmlets on Government Road Safety Campaign were put on shelves because the characterisation and the slant of the dramatic sequences considered racial.

I remember a 'commercial film' for a bank, portraying a particular community as 'watchman' with the tag line STRONG AND FRIENDLY was rejected for tv commercial 'spot buy'. That community complained that the portrayal was not done in good faith. Also sequences such as the slaughtering of cattle for Aid-Adha offerings would certainly go under the scissor, as the act would offend the Hindus. Nor do a Muslim Actors performing Non-Muslim religious ritual in a local TV Drama allowed on the screen. There are many other thrifty-gritty sensitive elements being added to the rules and would be implemented totally.

As such many of RTM's very own production had been banned or heavily censored.

One of the special Made for TV Movies, I produced for Aidilfitri in 1974 entitled SAYANG MAS MERAH was taken off the network on the eve of Hari Raya Celebration in spite of its earlier massive media promotions. The main character a Chinese, acted by singer cum actor Andre Goh was portrayed in a scene having a brawl with some Malay youths. The Ministry rated it as too 'racial' and disapproved the sequence. Unless I chopped the whole scene or the production banned. I off ted for the latter.

Even Tom Jone Musicals were not spared the ban; for reasons the singer's bare breasted attire conspicuously dangling a scripture medallion on his hairy chest as he swings in rhythmic ecstasy, the trademark of all his shows. Reason given - the show not fit for Muslim viewers.

Tun Razak Hussein our 2^nd Prime Minister had a cameo role in one of Filem Negara's Production THE GREEN BOOK on Rural Malaysia's Development project. The dramatised blockbuster documentary was sponsored by a private firm, meant for public screening in the theatres and the Mobile Units. The documentary never got to the tv network, because there was a scene of a Malaysian Cabinet Meeting, where The Prime Minister bang his fist in desperation for some unresolved problems at hand. 'They were' of the opinion that the particular shot would tinted Tun's soft spoken personality, as well discredit his cabinet. The decision was to censor it.

(Who would dare to snip off Prime Minister Tun Razak sequence in that high profiled documentary without his consent. Neither, who would have the courage to seek Prime Minister's consent, in the first place. I don't think my boss would, or even my Minister dare take the risk.)

So the idea of telecasting the documentary for public viewing ( for that particular period ) was left in oblivion.

The tight censorship policy was real challenges for us in RTM as well other media practitioner and the production houses. As far as RTM was concern (until late 1980es) no local programmes were outsourced to private production houses.

The Ministry of Information was noted to be too strict in assessing all programmes for telecasts. It's in house 'censor board' were more stringent in enforcing its own set of rulings than that of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Lyrics, dialogues, multiracial/multi religious castings, political or cult's ideologies, cultural promotion and interpretations must follow MOI rigid set of rules.

There was a totally different set of rules for shows performed in a converted stage in the amusement halls or stadium to those performed for the mass media.

Present day, what is being staged around you, would eventually be access to television and other online multimedia viewers.

Furthermore, pop artistes persona's are 'star rated' based on their self personification. Mostly on multilevel self image representations, some are personal, sordid and incoherent, not suitable for the young minds.

Take for example, the much talk about the objection by PAS Youth Wing on the American Superstar Beyonce's Concert in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 25^th.

"Beyonce Promotes Hedonism", says PAS."We know that these groups are not suitable for our Malaysian culture. Their appearance and attire are against our Eastern identity."

Beyonce's followers in the country were devastated on the objections. They aired their desperation as well put forward all the justification they could, supporting the show to proceed. Even Dato'Seri Dr Rais Yatim, The Honorable Minister of Information joined in the foray, citing that The Ministry would have no objection if Beyonce is dressed accordingly.

PAS Youth was quick to respond: "Even if Beyonce were to dress in a Jubah (Muslim Attire) she was still known for her 'sexy image'. We are against Western entertainment that promotes bedonism. We do not want our youths to be misled. We have in the past objected to Indonesia dangdud artiste Inul Daratista performing in Malaysia as she is also well known for her sexy gyrations."

Now, here we go again. No consensus of opinion. Each beating around the bush. Each follows their very own set of rules.

For whatever it is the 'gate keeping' process on activities touching on racial, religious and cultural sensitivities amongst the Malaysian Society still staggering at its infancy stage. Say what you like, it still the unending tales of desperation, ' a thorn in the ass ' to most aspirants.

I suggest, it is time to formulate a standard set of 'fool proof' rules enacted by the government to be adhered to by Producers and the Performing Artistes. Banning a show based on some public outcry would mean setting an unprecedented precedent. On the other hand 'allowing' such an act would not earn an extra credit to the population, except that it satisfies the follower's few.

The degrading of morality amongst the young has been of concern to most. More than 60% of Malaysian population are below 50es. There is this believe that, the influx of western cultures in our midst would for the foreseeable future form a society of a mixed east-west broods. And the very thought of our very own social and cultural heritage succumbed to foreign influences not to the favour of most Malaysian.

Come RAYA

Most likely the 1st of Shawwal this year would fall on Sunday the 20th September 09.
The month of Ramadan saw Muslims world over passionately fulfilling their Ibadah. In mosques and suraus Muslim performed Terawih Prayers followed by sessions of Kiaimulai. They beseech Allah’s forgiveness by offering ‘sunat prayers’, ‘doas’, giving out alms to the poor, reciting and understanding the teaching of Al’Qur’an as well performing all other compulsory religious obligations - attributions and covenant to Allah.
Come Shawwal Muslim world over herald Eid Fitri as a day of liberation. A period of deliverance and rejoice, a deserving celebration for most, with relatives, neighbours, colleagues and society at large - despite their different ethnics, religion or faith.
Most Muslims in Malaysia choose to celebrate Eid Fitri with their close kin at their ancestral homes in the villages. Hence the once a year exodus of ‘Balik Kampung’. Malays which form the majority of Malaysian Muslims are close nit families. Aptly Eid Fitri as the opportune time for them to forge acquaintances amongst siblings, relatives, neighbours, old collegues as well other village folks.
The Eid Fitri morning starts with special Eid Fitri prayer congregation at the local Mosque or Surau. Some would visit the ancestral graves of their long lost also visiting the elders. The day would be spend receiving visitors or visiting others in the neighbourhood. There are spreads of traditional cooking to everyone’s delight. Some of those traditional recipes take months to prepare, hence they are considered as the local specialities. Each household would have its own festivity ambience, serving some of the family’s known close guarded recipes. This uniqueness beckons togetherness amongst close kin, hence the urge of ‘Balik Kampung’ favourable to most. Those spending Raya away from home would consider themselves as missing a moment in time. They not only missed the traditional ‘Kampong Raya’ galore with close loved ones, but missed the uniqueness of one’s a year local gourmets.
Evidently Eid Fitri is a festivity of tolerance where the young and the old would seek for each other’s forgiveness. This act of ‘moral cleansing’ strengthened Muslim Brotherhood as Eid Fitri is an appropriate time to advocate the forbearing concept of Islam.

To err is human, to forgive Devine.

To all Muslims –
Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin.