By:
Ms. Kavita Maheendran
Executive Committee Members
Malaysian Youth Council (MBM)
On behalf of Malaysian Youth Council (MBM), filmmakers and Malaysians, I would like to request the honourable Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah; Minister of Communications and Multimedia to reexamine his recent declaration on requiring License for all video content. This concern was raised from today’s (23rd July 2020) Parliamentary proceedings, where Section 22(1) was questioned. The Finas Act describes that, no person can involve themselves in activities to produce, distribute or broadcast films unless they hold this license.
When requested for clarification, the Minister then reinstated that all videos that are categorised as “films”, which includes documentaries, short films, feature films, advertising videos and visual recording on any device including videotapes (also could include audio recordings) and available for public viewing – falls under the Act. Hence, every content producer including amateurs and professionals are required to apply for license and film shooting certificate (SPP), at least one week before shooting or the recording is conducted.
This reinstatement contradicts with his following statement, where he went on saying that the Ministry (KKMM) supports all individuals and public for their effort in producing and kind of films if it complies the law. I would like to enlighten all of you that, based on FINAS’ requirement – the application for production of film or video needs the applicant to be registered as private limited company and must have a paid-up Capital of at least RM 50,000. Many content producers and filmmakers in Malaysia do not meet this requirement. This do not only complicate the entire Act, but it creates confusion among common citizens.
For myself who have been actively involved in film production, I have witnessed the hardship professional filmmakers go through to get permit and/or license before a production. As for, amateur or for students who will need to produce any sort of film content; they’re not made compulsory to get the license but are advised to get permission from local authority if the shooting or recording process could pose any safety issues. The current practice is sufficient and is definitely workable. Extending the Act to everyone who produces video content on their social media platforms is impractical.
Apart from that, with recent Al-Jazeera’s news publication; it may have triggered the Minister to declare such statement. This issue could have been handled well by requesting the media to show proof with raw unedited footages together with their script and all other documentations relevant to their claim. This should also be a lesson to media, journalists and future journalism students to be ethical, respectful and importance of abiding law of any country. Yellow journalism or sensationalism isn’t the way to play the rightful role of a media.
I truly see that Ministries are formed to ease one’s burden and not to complicate it. We hope that this declaration will not be implemented drastically instead, we hope that the Minister will look into this matter and announce a better solution to this situation at soonest. Many young filmmakers and creative content producers are affected by this statement.
Date : 24th July 2020
