19 Feb – While it is still not yet known if "Tanda Putera" will ever see release in cinemas despite being green-lighted by the Film Censorship Board in Malaysia, the controversial film was screened to about 3,000 Felda settlers yesterday. News of the screening was revealed by the Deputy Minister who is responsible for Felda, Datuk Ahmad Maslan earlier in his speech at Putra World Trade Centre. The screening was then attended by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. However, members of the press were ushered out before the screening began at 1pm as it was a closed event that was specially organised for Felda members upon the request of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak himself.
The historical biographical film depicts the close friendship between the 2nd Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak, and his then deputy Tun Dr Ismail. It was deemed controversial as it was set around the time after the 13 May 1969 racial riots, with scenes that allegedly portrayed the Chinese and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in a negative light. This also led to the film's eventual pull-out from its official screening on 15 November 2012, after its delay from 13 September 2012. "Tanda Putera" is directed by Shuhaimi Baba, and stars Rusdi Ramli, Zizan Nin, Faezah Elai and Linda Hashim.