Malaysians not happy that they would soon need to obtain a filming license to produce videos on social media are trolling the Communications and Multimedia Ministry by filling their feeds with random clips before the rule takes effect.
From cat and food videos to fancams, many of them including former youth minister and TikToker Syed Saddiq have jumped online to express their disapproval of the new rule that was announced by Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah today, amid an ongoing probe into Al Jazeera’s production of a COVID-19 documentary he has criticized for being misleading.
Here is an unlicensed video of Nasi goreng cina. pic.twitter.com/tFBBmkwfuE
— Farhan (@lamkanahraf) July 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/anas_fontaine/status/1286225733308669958
Just letting you know that I do not have a Finas license to publish this film. Please do not report me to the authorities. pic.twitter.com/sTajctlJFG
— Amirul Ruslan (@amirulruslan) July 23, 2020
Although Saifuddin did not yet disclose when the new rule would take effect, netizens wasted no time to express their frustrations. The would-be rule is expected to apply to all forms of video content, including documentaries, TikTok videos, and even Instagram stories.
“Are my cat videos violating the law because I don’t have a license from Finas?” Twitter user Reza Zainal asked, in a post that included a video of him playing with his cats.
Saifuddin kata segala bentuk penggambaran kena berlesen termasuk di Tik Tok dll.
Jadi video kucing saya post ini melanggar undang-undang Malaysia ke sebab saya tiada lesen Finas..??
ps : Patutnya jawab Al Jazeera secara berfakta.
Too much to do izzit..?? pic.twitter.com/WfSqyUkoxJ
— Reza Zainal (@reza_zainal) July 23, 2020
Some also asked whether they would need a filming license to produce X-rated videos on the popular subscription-based OnlyFans platform.
“WAIT DOES THAT MEAN YOU NEED FINAS LICENSE FOR ONLYFANS???????? YOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo,” tweeted @Adultting. OnlyFans is an online subscription service widely used by X-rated entertainment content creators across the globe.
“Let’s all start onlyfans so finas has to review all our nude vids omg that would be so cool!” Twitter user @Eswants2die added.
Syed Saddiq chimed in, reminding content creators of how costly a filming license was in Malaysia.
“Do I really need a license that costs RM50,000 for this video of myself jumping around in Muar? Please give us a chance,” he said in a tweet that included a 14-second clip of himself showcasing tourist destinations in Muar, Johor.
The clip was uploaded to his TikTok account earlier this month, garnering nearly a million views.
According to Finas’ website, a person or a company would require a paid-up capital of not less than RM50,000 (US$12,000) to apply for a filming license in Malaysia.
Other stories to check out:
Malaysia now wants all media companies (and vloggers) to obtain licensing for any video content
Astro slapped with RM4,000 fine for ‘offensive’ 2015 docu on Altantuya’s murder
