To Ban or Not To Ban, It's Already Banned...

Thanks, guys, for the concern over my mum's condition. Rest assure, it's getting worse. But that's not a bad sign. Based on my knowledge of healing cycle, it is normal for ailments to be at it's peak before the healing process kicks in. She's taking the antibiotics, but she's still worried about her current condition. I wonder if I should call Aunty Nasriah and have her do the check up on my mum instead. I have to convince my mum to come to KL, though, and I doubt that she's willing.

Now, to the article today. Here it is:

Watch movie first before calling for ban, says Rais

By IZATUN SHARI

PETALING JAYA: Any party calling for a ban on a movie on religious grounds should first view it and state what aspects of it are against the teachings of the religion, said Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

Once they have seen the movie and outlined what aspects of the film were against the tenets of the religion, they could forward their views to the Film Censorship Board.

“If you haven’t seen the movie, I don’t think you should create tension,” he said when asked to comment on a call by the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia to ban the comedy Evan Almighty, which is scheduled for general screening in cinemas nationwide from Aug 23.

According to Bernama, association secretary-general Datuk Dr Maamor Osman labelled Evan Almighty an insult to Islam because it “poked fun at God and the Prophet Noah”.

The trailer of the US$175mil (RM600mil) movie, featuring Morgan Freeman as God, asking Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) to build an ark to prevent the big flood that was to hit New York, has been shown in cinemas here.

Evan Almighty is the sequel to Bruce Almighty, which was initially caught up in a controversy four years ago when former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin called for the film to be banned because it was against Islamic beliefs as the main character had assumed the power of God.

However, the Government allowed the screening of the movie after it was viewed and assessed by various government officials including those from the Islamic Development Department and Film Censorship Board.

Dr Rais said he would leave the current matter to the censorship board.

“Upon deliberation, the board has disallowed or allowed many stories,” he said.

Well, Dato', how do you supposed we watch the movies first? by downloading it before it even reach our shores? I don't mind. I do that a lot with Japanese animation and movies. But for a minister to actually imply that, you have my respect.

I do agree that we need to actually read/watch/listen to the media before giving the verdict whether the media should be banned or censored or left alone. I 100% support the motion. Make that 199.99999%. However, as far as I'm concerned, all types of media have to go through the Government agency before being released officially. Which means you can't even take a sneak peek legally (and a sneak peek is not enough to warrant a verdict). Which means you guys (ministers, Parliament members, Father, Son, and the Holy SIL) get to watch it first. Heck, before we know it, the media are already banned/censored/burned to smithereens. Unless we illegally acquire the media, that is. Illegally from your point of view, that is.