ALL filmmakers, including those posting on social media, must have the film production licence and the film authentication certificate (SPP), Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told the Dewan Rakyat.

This applies to both mainstream media and personal media users who exhibit their films on social media platforms, he said during the ministers’ question time.

He was responding to Wong Shu Qi (Kluang-PH) on whether filmmakers are required to have a film production licence and SPP regardless of whether they are a mainstream media agency or personal media users who exhibit their films on social media or traditional mediums. 

Wong in a supplementary question asked if the licences were needed even by users of TikTok, a popular social media platform, as many users would be affected.

Licences for production, distribution and exhibition of films and videos are issued by Finas  in accordance with Section 22(1) of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia Act 1981.

“Licence holders will have to inform the corporation (Finas) through a form not later than seven days before the shooting of a film commences. An SPP will be provided upon receipt of the form,” he said. 

“On that note, it is compulsory for film producers to apply for the production licence and the SPP regardless of whether they are a mainstream media agency or social media users who produce their films for social media platforms.”

Citing Section 2 of the act, Saifuddin said feature films, short films, short subject films, trailers, documentaries, advertising clips and any recording on material of any kind, including video tapes and video discs, moving images, accompanied or unaccompanied by sound meant for public viewing falls under the category of films. 

The issue of Finas licences for documentaries and non-commercial films arose recently following the government’s crackdown on Al Jazeera over its critical documentary Locked up in Malaysia’s Lockdown.

The international news channel alleged mistreatment of undocumented migrants during the movement-control order to curb Covid-19.

Until the recent action against Al Jazeera, however, it was not clear that the requirement also applies to the press.

Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH) in a supplementary question asked whether the maker of the video Malaysia’s Coronavirus Incredible Success Story, Dr Dustin Pfundheller, who featured the film on his YouTube channel Other Side of the Truth, requires licences.

An interview with Pfundheller, whose video rebutted points raised by Al Jazeera, was also featured on Bernama TV.

“I leave this to the authorities and we will take action according to the law if there are complaints, depending on the (nature of the) case,” Saifuddin replied. 

Fahmi, however, not satisfied that the minister had replied his question, asked again, “Did he or did he not (have the licences)?”

When Saifuddin ignored the question and sat down, Fahmi said, “He didn’t, then”. – July 23, 2020.