KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Matters related to the production and filming of Anwar: The Untold Story are carried out by the National Film Development Corporation (Finas), the Home Ministry said.
Films that have been completed and ready for public viewing must be approved by the Film Censorship Board (LPF), Home Ministry and in accordance with the power under the Film Censorship Act 2002, the ministry said.
"The review of 'Anwar: The Untold Story’s script was not carried out by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) because it is not an obligation for the film producer under any Act or regulation to obtain script approval from the PDRM.
"Nevertheless, PDRM was also involved in the re-evaluation (review) of the film's content together with the LPF based on the Film Censorship Guidelines, Home Ministry 2010 which contain four main aspects which are public safety and order, religion, sociocultural and order and discipline,” the ministry said in a Parliamentary written reply here.
The ministry was responding to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Sungai Besar MP Datuk Muslimin Yahaya who asked the Home Ministry if its filming involved the police and if the movie’s script had obtained their prior approval.
Anwar: The Untold Story reportedly raked in RM1 million on opening day on Thursday, alongside blockbusters like Fast X.
The film was directed by Viva Westi and starring Farid Kamil Zahari as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, opened on over 1000 screens across 120 cinemas across Malaysia.
Anwar: The Untold Story recounts the exploits of Anwar as finance minister and deputy prime minister from 1993 to 1998 and his fight against corruption.
The film also stars Indonesian actress Acha Septriasa as Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Hasnul Rahmat as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
