To Singapore, with Love is thrust into the spotlight once again, and this time the Malaysian authorities are not allowing it to be screened tomorrow in Kuantan, Pahang in the Freedom Film Festival.
The Malay Mail Online reports that festival organisers Pusat Komas cited “unforeseen circumstances” involving a few visits by Malaysia’s Home Ministry officials to the screening venue, threatening the owner to revoke her business license should she continue with the screening of To Singapore, with Love.
The documentary on Singapore’s political exiles faces a nation-wide ban in Singapore on grounds of protecting national security and stability, while various ministers have called the film a “one-sided portrayal” and a “self-serving personal account, conveniently inaccurate in place”.
Despite the criticism, over 300 Singaporeans went across the border to attend the screening of To Singapore, with Love in Johore Bahru’s iteration of Freedom Film Fest 2014.
Facing allegations of pressurising the Pusat Komas NGO into cancelling the screening, Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jafaar responded that the film is not actually banned, but is being reviewed by the ministry, and thus should not be screened to the public before approval.
Speaking to the Malay Mail Online, he insists that the ministry’s officers were just doing their job, and a standard operating procedure when reviewing films to prevent any offence. He assures however that they would vet the movie based on its own merits and will not be influenced by Singapore’s decisions.
Photo: Freedom Film Festival Facebook event page
Read Also:
Tan Pin Pin resubmits 'To Singapore, With Love' for classification
PM Lee defends decision behind banning 'To Singapore, with Love'
Over 300 Singaporeans attend screening of banned film in JB
To Singapore, with Love is thrust into the spotlight once again, and this time the Malaysian authorities are not allowing it to be screened tomorrow in Kuantan, Pahang in the Freedom Film Festival.
The Malay Mail Online reports that festival organisers Pusat Komas cited “unforeseen circumstances” involving a few visits by Malaysia’s Home Ministry officials to the screening venue, threatening the owner to revoke her business license should she continue with the screening of To Singapore, with Love.
The documentary on Singapore’s political exiles faces a nation-wide ban in Singapore on grounds of protecting national security and stability, while various ministers have called the film a “one-sided portrayal” and a “self-serving personal account, conveniently inaccurate in place”.
Despite the criticism, over 300 Singaporeans went across the border to attend the screening of To Singapore, with Love in Johore Bahru’s iteration of Freedom Film Fest 2014.
Facing allegations of pressurising the Pusat Komas NGO into cancelling the screening, Malaysian Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jafaar responded that the film is not actually banned, but is being reviewed by the ministry, and thus should not be screened to the public before approval.
Speaking to the Malay Mail Online, he insists that the ministry’s officers were just doing their job, and a standard operating procedure when reviewing films to prevent any offence. He assures however that they would vet the movie based on its own merits and will not be influenced by Singapore’s decisions.
Photo: Freedom Film Festival Facebook event page
Read Also:
Tan Pin Pin resubmits 'To Singapore, With Love' for classification
PM Lee defends decision behind banning 'To Singapore, with Love'
Over 300 Singaporeans attend screening of banned film in JB