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The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) has welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call for Malaysian filmmakers to be given greater space and freedom to create
In a statement today, 26 August, CMCF said the move could help Malaysia's creative industry grow with greater confidence, provided it is supported by clearer content classifications, stronger self-regulation, and better safeguards for audiences.
CMCF chairperson and Media Prima Group managing director Datuk Rafiq Razali said creators and investors needed certainty to experiment and develop more ambitious projects.
"If we want Malaysian content to go further, the industry must have the confidence to experiment, invest and create something different. Clear standards are important because when the expectations and boundaries are understood, creators are more confident about exploring bolder ideas.
"At the same time, the industry must show that greater freedom comes with responsibility. Strong self-regulation and accountability build trust, and that trust gives the industry more room to grow," he said.
CMCF chairperson and Media Prima Group managing director Datuk Rafiq Razali.
Image via CMCFCMCF also supports greater reliance on age classifications
CMCF said the progressive direction taken by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) and the Film Censorship Board (LPF) is an encouraging step towards giving filmmakers greater room to preserve the integrity of their work while ensuring audiences have clear information to make informed choices.
CMCF vice chairperson and Film Directors' Association of Malaysia chairperson Datuk Afdlin Shauki said filmmakers needed space to explore difficult and uncomfortable subjects that reflected real life.
"Filmmakers sometimes need to tackle difficult, sensitive or uncomfortable subjects because those stories are part of real life. So it is encouraging to see a more open approach taking shape. Where classification can give audiences the right guidance without unnecessarily compromising the film itself, that is a positive step for the industry.
"The key is to give audiences clear information about what they are watching and who it is suitable for, while giving filmmakers enough space to tell their stories honestly and responsibly," said Afdlin.
CMCF vice chairperson and Film Directors' Association of Malaysia chairperson Datuk Afdlin Shauki.
Image via Provided to SAYSCMCF added that effective safeguards should not depend on parents alone, with streaming platforms also expected to provide features such as child profiles, PIN controls, age settings, and content filters
CMCF CEO Mediha Mahmood said parents must play a more active role by taking age classifications and content guidance seriously.
"We still see children being taken to watch films that are not suitable for their age, even though exposure to certain material can have a harmful impact.
"At the same time, the system has to make it easier for parents to make informed choices. Ratings, content descriptors and parental controls should be clear, easy to understand and easy to use," she said.
CMCF said it is prepared to engage with filmmakers, broadcasters, streaming services, digital platforms, regulators, child-safety experts, and other stakeholders to explore an approach that gives creators greater freedom while ensuring audiences remain appropriately protected.
