9 Dec – The Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (LPF) has explained that they will not be re-evaluating the local film, "Lelaki Harapan Dunia" and they have no plans on doing so. According to Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid, Chairman of LPF as quoted by Astro Awani, "For now, "Lelaki Harapan Dunia" will not be re-evaluated. There was no suggestion nor application received regarding the film. So far, there is no information received on the film." The chairman was responding to a statement made yesterday on Facebook by the director of "Lelaki Harapan Dunia" Liew Seng Tat, who mentioned on the possibility of his film being banned or censored after being re-evaluated due to complaints, so he urged many of his friends and cinema-goers to watch the film before LPF can get to the film.
"It will not happen. The one who can apply to re-evaluate is the Film Appeal Committee, and they can give a different decision," said LPF's Chairman. "Lelaki Harapan Dunia" have been recently criticised by certain parties due to its insensitive remarks towards the Malays. Among those who think the film is degrading towards the Malays is filmmaker Ahmad Idham and actor Khir Rahman, who have made their thoughts public via social media.
However, Liew Seng Tat himself stressed that he has no intention of degrading the Malays, but his intention was to portray the old house-lifting tradition practiced in the earlier days. "Lelaki Harapan Dunia" was previously screened at several international film festivals which include the Locarno International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Nara International Film Festival in Japan, Kolkata International Film Festival and more. The film focus on a quaint Malay village which undergoes a series of mishaps that leads to misunderstandings, accusations and havoc. The film stars Wan Hanafi Su, Harun Salim Bachik, Sofi Jikan, Jalil Hamid and Azhan Rani. The film is now showing in cinemas.