For UIA students, ‘invite only’ screening of ‘Tanda Putera’
The film’s maker, Shuhaimi Baba, said “creative licence” was used in the depiction of historic events in “Tanda Putera”.
Nomy Nozwir, TMI
The controversial “Tanda Putera” film on the May 1969 riots was privately shown last night to a group of 600 students in an “invite-only” screening at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA).
The university’s Student Affairs Department had earlier confirmed that the film would be shown to students and was organised by Kelab Wawasan UIA with co-operation from the department.
The film has raised the ire of opposition politicians who say some scenes are not historically accurate.
But the film’s director had stressed that the film is not a documentary, but a movie “with dramatic elements and creative licence responsibly exercised in its making” and with research done beforehand.
According to a student group, it was mandatory for Police Undergraduate Voluntary Corps and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Unit (PALAPES) members to attend, while UIA’s residential colleges have been asked to send six members each.
“Those who attend would also be awarded ‘Star Points’,” news portal Malaysiakini quoted We Unite for Islam UIA president Mohd Najib Abdul Rahim as saying, referring to the institution’s participatory merit point system.
The Malaysian Insider was turned away from attending the 9pm screening last night, which appeared to be tightly guarded by security personnel.
One security guard told The Malaysian Insider that the event was “invite-only” and was strictly meant for students, stressing that the media was not permitted to attend the screening.
“Reporters not allowed, only invited students,” he said.
When approached in the surrounding areas of the campus, several students said they were unaware of the private screening.
“There is an event in the auditorium? I was not aware,” said Nurul Huda Abdul Hamid.
Another student, Azuandi Mohd Zainal, a final year law student, said he came to know about the screening from a friend who was part of PALAPES.
“My friend is in there, but he did tell me that only selected individuals are permitted,” the student told The Malaysian Insider.
The Twitter page of student movement @UIAM4PEACE confirmed that the screening took place last night.
“Filem #TandaPutera dah bermula.. Kami X Boleh Merakam Sebarang Gambar dan Video dlm Ini.Nytakan Pndangan Anda dgn guna Hashtag #TandaPutera,” it wrote.
[Translaton: Tanda Putera has started. We cannot snap any photographs or video in here. State your views by using the hashtag #TandaPutera].
“Tak nampak perkauman pun movie ni .yang aku nampak yang jahatnya sisa saki baki pihak komunis #TandaPutera,” a student @YuFakhrulLah who attended the screening wrote.
[Translation: This movie does not look racist. The ones who I see are the villains here are the communist remnants].
Last month, over 3,000 Felda settlers were shown a surprise preview of “Tanda Putera”.
The film was shown during a special gathering of settlers at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), which was also attended by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
