2 Aug – Controversial rapper and filmmaker Namewee shared his frustration with Malaysian censorship boards over the release delay of local film "The New Village", saying that the call to halt the movie's screening showed the authorities' double standards. The filmmaker released a YouTube video entitled "017 Double Standard" which was uploaded last Thursday. He mentions some issues to do with the country's censorship boards and said that it was unreasonable for the film "The New Village" to be banned just because it explains the history of communism in the country. "You should not ban the film just because some people complained about it. It is an unreasonable action," said Namewee. He also said that if the controversial nature of history is an issue, then similarly new controversial film "Tanda Putera", a film about national leaders and their struggles in dealing with the May 13 tragedy in 1969, should not be screened too.
Aside from Namewee, writer, publisher and filmmaker of "Village People Radio Show" and "The Last Communist" Amir Muhammad has also voiced out his dissatisfaction with the censorship board. "Both "Tanda Putera" and "The New Village" have the right to be shown. If people have problems with the content, they can initiate boycotts or civil suits for libel." Set against the backdrop of the British rule in Malaya during the 1950s, "The New Village" depicts a love story between a village girl and a young communist guerrilla, and offers a glimpse into the lives of Chinese citizens during the Malayan emergency. Also depicted in the film were the Baling Peace Talks and the Peace Accord achieved between former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's administration and the Malayan Communist Party in 1989, which allowed communists to lay down their weapons and return to society. Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamid earlier announced that the movie, which was scheduled to be released on Aug 22, would have to be reviewed again before it is allowed to be shown in cinemas.