After a major uproar, the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (MCMC) has decided to open the ‘Best Film Award’ category at the upcoming Film Festival Awards 2016 to all film industry players, regardless of languange.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak told Bernama that the decision was made after the Ministry studied the views and suggestions from all parties, including the members of the public.
“We are always willing to hear grouses from the industry players and at the same time, we don’t neglect our responsibility of empowering Bahasa Malaysia as the national language,” Salleh was quoted by the news agency as saying.
Salleh added that the Ministry had also created a new category, ‘Best Film in the National Language’, for the festival.
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Meanwhile, Malaysia National Film Development Corporation (Finas) director Datuk Kamil Othman told Bernama in a seperate report that it will fully abide to MCMC’s decision.
“We will abide by the decision. Tomorrow, we will discuss in our board meeting to decide on the next step which include changes,” Kamil was quoted as saying.
