#SHOWBIZ: Hans Isaac on 'Madu Atau Racun': Creative freedom must respect Malaysia's multicultural sensitivities

PETALING JAYA: Finas chairman Datuk Hans Isaac has emphasized that creative freedom must be balanced with respect for Malaysia's diverse racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Speaking at the launch of Projek Sinema: Pencetus Aspirasi Film Malaysia, Hans stressed the need for caution when producing content for the public. He highlighted that while Malaysia enjoys freedom, it must be protected due to its multicultural nature.

Hans indicated that Finas is taking a moderator role in addressing the controversy surrounding drama Madu Atau Racun, which falls under the purview of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). He noted that the drama's producers have agreed to make some edits to upcoming episodes following discussions about the controversy.

The Finas chairman acknowledged that controversy can be a promotional tool, as contentious issues often garner public attention. However, he stressed that creators must remember they are producing content for a country composed of people from various cultures and backgrounds, and we need to respect that diversity. Hans urged creators to find creative ways to tell stories without being too direct with sensitive elements, warning that such content could impact community relations.

The 16-day intensive Finas incubation programme, Projek Sinema: Pencetus Aspirasi Film Malaysia, aims to identify, mentor, and empower emerging talent in the creative content industry. From among 49 applications, 24 participants were selected from backgrounds in filmmaking, production, and content creation. These participants will be divided into six groups, with each team responsible for producing a short film as the programme's final project.