MCMC: ‘Undilah’ block nothing to do with contents
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
CYBERJAYA, Sept 24 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) claimed today that its decision to temporarily pull the “Undilah” video off the air was a routine measure that had nothing to do with the contents of the clip.
In a statement to national news agency Bernama today, the regulatory body said it was “normal practice” to stop the broadcast of such public service announcements (PSA) as it was yet to earn approval from the Film Censorship Board.
The commission said its decision was in accordance with “routine monitoring and enforcement activities” allowed under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“In relation to that, it has become common practice for the MCMC to order the retraction of contents yet to receive approval from the Film Censorship Board.
“In the case of the PSA produced by musician Pete Teo, as a result of a routine compliance monitoring exercise made by MCMC, it was found that approval had yet to be obtained from the board for the said PSA.
“As such, the PSA should not have been aired on television till approval is obtained,” MCMC said in the statement.
Without the approval, the commission said Teo’s 4.38-minute music video clip promoting the right to vote could not be aired on TV.
Pursuant to the 1998 Act, it added, all broadcasters must pull the video off the air immediately.
“This directive is about the compliance of broadcasters rather than the contents of the PSA,” the commission said.
