Malaysia’s Home Ministry has backed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call for greater openness in the country’s film industry, while stressing that content censorship will remain balanced to safeguard public and national interests.

The ministry, through the Film Censorship Board (LPF), said greater room should be given to filmmakers to create, experiment, express views and develop creative and critical thinking.

The approach is aimed at making Malaysia’s film industry more innovative, competitive and responsive to social and technological changes, it said.

The ministry, however, clarified that film classification and censorship are two separate but complementary processes under the Film Censorship Act 2002.

While classification determines whether content is suitable for particular age groups, censorship assesses the overall content against prevailing laws, policies and guidelines. An age classification, therefore, does not exempt a film from censorship, it said.

All films will continue to undergo LPF review, although cuts will not necessarily be required if the content is deemed suitable under its assigned age classification.

The board assesses scenes, dialogue, audio, themes, conduct and the overall context of a film before deciding whether any adjustment is necessary, according to the ministry.

It said the approach was intended to allow creativity to flourish while maintaining the LPF’s responsibility to protect public interests.

Where content fails to meet legal, policy or guideline requirements, the LPF may consider appropriate action or modifications based on the context and level of risk. Content that cannot be adjusted to meet the requirements will not be approved for screening.

The ministry said the LPF was also refining its censorship approach to make it more progressive, responsive and professional, with assessments based on content, context and risk to ensure regulation is more targeted and consistent.

Public and national interests will remain the key considerations, particularly for content that could affect public security and order, religion, morality or the country’s sociocultural fabric.

The board will also consider national interests and sensitivities in international relations where content could affect Malaysia’s image, social harmony or ties with other countries.

The ministry said it would continue supporting the film industry by providing wider space for filmmakers to produce creative, fresh, critical and quality works, while maintaining its responsibility to protect security, public order, social harmony and national interests.

“Openness in creative expression and responsibility towards national interests need to move hand in hand,” the ministry said, describing the balance as essential to building a mature, competitive and trusted Malaysian film ecosystem.