The police have launched an investigation into the locally produced independent film Mentega Terbang for religious incitement.
Bukit Aman secretary Noorsiah Saaduddin said in a statement that police received eight complaints about the film across the country.
Noorsiah said the inquiry was being carried out by their classified crime investigation unit.
The police investigation comes just two days after the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission announced that the movie had been removed from the streaming service platform Viu.
After its debut on Viu last month, Mentega Terbang, which explores the distinctions and overlaps between the main religions in Malaysia, received negative feedback from both the general public and artists.
Minister for Religious Affairs Na’im Mokhtar said on Thursday that Jakim had examined the film’s content and determined that it violated Islamic tenets.
A scene in the film depicting the main character, Aisyah, wanting to eat pork went viral, as did another in which the character’s father allows her to leave Islam and convert to another religion.
These scenes sparked outrage on social media, with users questioning how the film was permitted for public viewing.
The film stars Syumaila Salihin, Firdaus Karim, Nik Waheeda, Arjun Thanaraju, Khairunazwan Rodzy, Shyamala Kandapper and Jesebel Lee.
Coconuts has reached out to the film’s director, Khairi Anwar, for a comment on the matter.
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