NETFLIX-LOVING Malaysians have poured scorn and derision on National Film Development Corporation (Finas) CEO Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nazri after he suggested that Putrajaya censor content on the streaming platform.

News articles of Ahmad Idham’s proposal yesterday are being shared widely on Twitter, along with expletives, telling Finas to “***k off”.

“Dear Finas, you don’t pay my Netflix bills. Please mind your own freaking business,” tweeted one user.

Well-known local actor Tony Eusoff weighed in, tweeting in Malay: “This is not fair for everyone else. Parents, regulate your own kids lah.”

He and many users said parents concerned about explicit content on Netflix should just unsubscribe from the service.

Several others on Twitter also called Finas “dumb” and “idiots” for not recognising that Netflix already has parental controls to restrict content for children.

Some users urged parents to learn how to use these controls so that Finas could “stay out of it”.

“Netflix programmes can only be watched by subscriptions and come with warnings. Government should have a campaign to alert parents of their duty. Finas has no right to be the moral police,” tweeted a user named E.S. Shankar, who tagged Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

Gobind announced Ahmad Idham’s appointment as Finas CEO in March, for a two-year contract.

Ahmad Idham, who is a veteran actor, director and producer, said Netflix censorship was needed as uncensored shows could affect the country’s youth.

No to censorship

Although Finas was not responsible for censorship, he said it was concerned that international content was not as “controlled” as local film and television.

Many Twitter users baulked at the idea, reminding Putrajaya it should not allow curbs on freedom as a “New Malaysia government”.

“If the government agrees to censor Netflix as suggested by Finas, I will personally campaign and make sure this current government lose(s) at the next election. So much for Malaysia Baru,” tweeted a Sherrie R.D.

Graphic artist and social activist Fahmi Reza also warned Putrajaya, “Don’t listen to Finas. Netflix does not need to be censored by the government. We can settle it ourselves”.

Another user with the handle Ted, said Putrajaya would hasten its downfall if it listened to Finas.

Do your real job, Finas

Many users urged Finas to “fix the local film industry” and produce better-quality films, instead of “cerita hantu, mistik dan cinta” – ghost, mystical and love stories that are the common staple of Malay films.

“Finas, maybe you should focus on getting more high quality local content instead,” tweeted Syefri Zulkifli.

A social media user named Eric Pah said viewers could learn much more from Netflix than from local films, as the streaming provider has categories of films based on true stories and documentaries.

Another user with the handle @AyezShaukat said as a film development agency, Finas should be taking care of issues such as the welfare of production crew workers and ensuring fair labour laws to govern working hours for film shootings.

If Finas would improve the standard of local films in the first place, it could then use Netflix as a platform to bring Malaysian productions to a bigger audience, said another user named Suryaniza. – November 17, 2019.