11 Nov – "Quantum Of Solace" opened wide on 115 prints, topping the Malaysian box office and also ushering in the now-formalised PG-13 rating, according to reliable sources within the industry. The citation for the new category is currently being published on cinema listings as "Parental guidance is advisable for children below 13-years-old" and is viewed by most as a sensible mid-ground rating between movies for general viewing and 18+ movies, which represented too far a divide for ever-changing market pressures.
Previously, a temporary measure existed in the peculiar imposition of "U-PG-13" – a hybrid rating that was to hold fort until something such as this latest development happened. It was applied to movies like "Remp-It", "Congkak" and "Jangan Pandang Belakang". According to a senior representative of the LPF (Lembaga Penapisan Filem or National Censorship Board) who spoke to Cinema Online two months ago, a new category was needed to facilitate a better market for films which are "lebih berat daripada U" ("heavier" than U) but not far gone enough to warrant any of the four current "18" ratings (18-SX, 18-PL, 18-SG, 18-PA). He said that the recent Erra Fazira and Ida Nerina horror "Anak" was one such film that needed the special rating. The president of the Dato' Haji Mohd Hussain bin Haji Shafie is unable to be reached for comments at the time of publishing.