The Malaysian government is considering expanding the Film Censorship Board’s (LPF) authority to include streaming services. This was revealed by home minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail during Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
The statement came as a response to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who urged the government to restrict inappropriate content on platforms such as Netflix and so on. Saifuddin explained that the Film Censorship Act 2002 (Act 620) does not empower the LPF to regulate films and materials hosted on streaming platforms and Over The Top (OTT) services.
However, he noted that he’s willing to discuss with the ministry of communications, which is responsible for the jurisdiction, to consider expanding the board’s authority over these mediums. Services such as streaming platforms are technically under the purview of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 as it involves the internet, the minister added.
During the same Dewan Rakyat session, Saifuddin also expressed concerns over the increase in films entering the market containing elements that contradict the values and norms of Malaysian society. He stressed that the LPF will not approve the screening of any films that promote LGBTQ, communism, Islamophobia, and those conflicting Islamic beliefs.
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