Why censorship remains essential

8/8/2016

Why censorship remains essential — Adrian Lee Yuen Beng | What You Think | Malay Mail Online

What You Think

Why censorship remains essential — Adrian Lee Yuen Beng JULY 13, 2015

JULY 13 — The recent censorship guidelines outlining the dos and don'ts for the local cinematic and television industries have been released at a most opportune time. It states how made in Malaysia lms and television programmes are prohibited from mocking, belittling or criticising those walking in the corridors of power lest they tarnish their good image. Also prohibited on the silver screen and idiot box are screenings of transgressions of civil servants, the portrayal of women dressed in tight tting clothes that curvaceously outline the body and national sensitivities. To paraphrase, there will be NO sex; NO superstition; NO smoking or drug abuse; NO talking ill of others; NO clothing deemed sexy (saris excluded); NO indecent behaviour; NO politicking; NO violence; NO horror/mystery/frightening elements; and NO questioning about the integrity of the law and governance. But why did it take so long for these comprehensive guidelines that have been long awaited by many Malaysians such as myself to be formulated? These guidelines that further reinforce censorship by increasing the already lengthy and comprehensive list of dos and don'ts should have been released years, if not decades ago. Surely, these new guidelines released via a directive via a circular is the much needed answer in curbing all the political, societal, cultural and economical ills currently plaguing the nation. By protecting the innocent, virtuous and sinless minds of Malaysians from all negative in uences present in popular media, the nation would then be free of crime, corruption, unlawfulness, transgressions and other forms of misdemeanors, misdeeds and misbehaviours that are allegedly plaguing the streets and back lanes of Malaysian towns, cities, and villages. Just envision how di erent Malaysia would be had these censorship guidelines been released earlier. For sure, without screening sex, the illegal esh trade, sexual harassment and assault would have already been eradicated from society. Women too would be highly respected and not be abused nor objecti ed. Sexual deviance would be unheard of. For sure, many Malaysians wouldn't believe in superstition and would've purchased houses and cars bearing “bad luck” numbers. Surely, I too wouldn't have needed to go to great lengths in explaining about the elevator buttons for oor levels 3A, 12A and 12B to my foreign friends. For sure, had scenes of individuals smoking been earlier removed, I would no longer need to worry about lung cancer as I unwillingly inhale second hand cigarette smoke that lingers in the air while eating at co ee shops or food stalls. And there’s no need for the price of cigarettes to be upped or the need for the manufacturers to plaster those terrible photos onto those packets. For sure, had character assassination been disallowed sooner, laws protecting against defamation and sedition would've been repealed years ago as Malaysians wouldn't speak ill against another Malaysian. Everyone would be so nice to each other. For sure, women dressed in non-skimpy attires would've helped many to not gawk and gape as they can now resist the temptation, enticement and allurement of women in skirts, shorts and seductive out ts donned by our national athletes. Sarongs would be a thing of the past. Also not forgetting how the exposed knees of the man in pink trousers seemed to be too scanty for some people’s liking. For sure, the removal of indecent behaviour would mean that the rude and irresponsible motorists who consider http://www.themalaymailonline.com/print/what-you-think/why-censorship-remains-essential-adrian-lee-yuen-beng

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8/8/2016

Why censorship remains essential — Adrian Lee Yuen Beng | What You Think | Malay Mail Online

For sure, the removal of indecent behaviour would mean that the rude and irresponsible motorists who consider themselves as untouchable would already behave in a kind and courteous manner. Malaysians would've also learned how to properly queue for public transportation or when waiting to grab some freebies. There would be no need for police or JPJ road blocks, or AES cameras lurking in the corner. More Malaysians would be saying “thank you,” “excuse me” and “please”. For sure, no politics allowed would also mean that we would only have politicians that have at heart the needs, desires and wishes of the normal everyday rakyat who are struggling to make ends meet. And when politicians are one with the rakyat, we would understand wholeheartedly when they arrive for events without police outriders according to Malaysian time as they too would have been caught in tra c jams. For sure, the removal of violence on the celluloid years ago would've resulted in a nose dive in crime rates. No longer would crime be perceived as a perception and the need to padlock, grill, latch, set the dogs loose, barricade doors and activate alarms before going to bed would be a thing of the past. No need for rukun tetangga night patrols, security guards or gated communities. For sure, not knowing about horror and mystery would've made many braver to walk alone at night for they do not have fears of the pontianak or geong si lurking around the corner. Neither is there the need to hide under the covers every time a dog howls for no reason. Many who practice the art of ghostbusting would regretfully need to venture into another profession. For sure, the need to question the rule of law or about governance would be irrelevant as the nation would already be free of corruption, controversies, crises, and commotions as everyone would be law abiding. Scandals spelt out in acronymic terms would only exist within the gment of one's imagination while governmental organisations with various acronyms tasked with preserving rule and order would remain well, mere acronyms that belong in the past. Having recognised these ten elements as capable of tarnishing the positive image of Malaysia and Malaysians, all imported lms, music, and television programmes should thus be censored or banned. The Internet too should be censured as it has become too liberal by allowing discussions and criticisms of issues that may tarnish the good image of Malaysia There is a need to eradicate such forms of negative elements, which are usually introduced by the more liberalised Western nations and in particular the Jews who have developed secret ploys aimed at continuously destroying our rock solid religious beliefs, much valued and esteemed Asian values and robust economic system. An example of such secret conspiracies is the in ltration of Christian crusaders masquerading as K-Pop or “KristianPop” artistes having a “dark agenda” of diverting the faith of Muslims. Had these guidelines been released earlier, all violence, horror, sex and counter-culture elements that have been covertly in uencing Malaysians negatively through the television and cinema screens would've been eliminated. Malaysia would by now be ranked as the safest, most safeguarded and secure place to live in. The country would have been perceived as the most utopian and harmonious nation as its people live without any racial, religious, or political strife and di erences. In the end, we must not forget about the censors who sel essly act as our moral guardians. They must be credited as they risk losing their values, faiths and beliefs as they imperiously censor tonnes of materials on a daily basis in order to protect our virtues. Their contributions in protecting and safeguarding our minds remain essential in this digital world that continually exposes us to so much corrupt values, conspiracy theories, Communist threats and Christianisation. Based on the reasons above, it is evident that censorship remains imperative in protecting the nation’s mental progression and infrastructure advancement in the nal sprint towards Vision 2020. Surely the underlying objective of all this censorship is to make a perfect human out of us mere mortals. After all, we would never want to end up like those Western countries that have laidback or no practice of censorship. Just look at how free speech, human rights, democracy and equality are practised so liberally perilously by them! * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online. Copyright © 2016 | Malay Mail Online

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