COMMUNICATIONS and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has blamed the previous government for failing to act against the airing of the controversial “Mentega Terbang” movie on a streaming platform.

He said the local independent film became available on Viu 2021 during the time of the Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration.

“Why wasn’t any action taken? Where were the parties who are complaining now?” said Fahmi.

“This is not a new matter, but since it was not resolved then, we will have to solve it now.

“I will leave it to Finas (National Film Development Corporation) to carry out investigations. If action needs to be taken, I believe the authorities will do it,” Fahmi said at a press conference at UiTM Shah Alam, today.

Muslims have condemned the film “Mentega Terbang”, which was shown on streaming service platform Viu, for its religious pluralism.

Religious affairs minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar said it was the Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) view that the movie was in contravention of the Islamic laws practised in Malaysia.

Mohd Na’iam said he has ordered the religious authorities to question the parties involved in the production of the film.

“The Prime Minister’s Department will not allow the distribution of any content that tarnishs the sanctity of Islam, and worse still, invite controversy and affect the harmony of the Malaysian community.

“I would also like to advise creators to be more careful in producing and distributing content to the public so that the government’s goals for Malaysia Madani can be achieved,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Yesterday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said Viu had taken down the controversial movie on February 27. – March 5, 2023.