'Why The Segregation?' Because PFM Argues It's The Only Way To Uphold BM

Following the decision of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), a "Best Cinematography" nominee, Mohd Noor Kassim, who was nominated for the 'Bravo 5' combat film, has pulled out from the film awards ceremony, citing racism over the segregation of categories based on language, reported the Malay Mail Online

In fact, Kassim went on to say that "the separation of Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay to Bahasa Malaysia and non-Bahasa Malaysia categories gave the impression that Malays were afraid of competing with non-Malays."

Kassim isn't the only one who withdrew his nomination from the FFM. Prior to him, comedian, actor, and filmmaker Afdlin Shauki announced that he is boycotting the Festival Filem Malaysia 2016 because of segregation, reported Malaysiakini.

Speaking to the Malay Mail Online, Afdlin explained his decision to boycott FFM 2016.

"I decided to boycott because I do not believe that in this day and age, where we are trying to promote more unity for all Malaysians, that the film industry’s most prestigious event propagates such segregating behaviour. The point is a film festival is supposed to celebrate good filmmaking. A film is about pictures telling stories. Dialogue is actually secondary in good cinematic storytelling. So a Malaysian film festival should celebrate great films regardless of the language, just as long as it is made by Malaysians."

In a post on his Instagram account, the CIMB chairman, questioning the language division, wrote: "Respect. I was aghast to hear that my favorite, ‘Ola Bola’, and others can't compete for best Malaysian movie. 'Why the segregation?' Change will only happen because individuals like Afdlin make a principled stand, well done!"

AirAsia group CEO Tony Fernandes also supported the move, saying that the racial diversity portrayed in local movies was a strength that shouldn’t be penalised.

"Kudos to @afdlinshauki for standing up for what he believed," he wrote on Facebook, adding, "AirAsia is what and won world’s best airline because of our diversity. Come on Malaysia, it's time to embrace diversity, not find ways to further segregate it."

"I say again, enough segregation more inclusiveness. Celebrate our diversity," he said.

The Screenwriters Association of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (PENULIS) are having none of it, though. PENULIS President Alfie Palermo, calling the BM and Non-BM categories "divisive", has questioned the decision. "Where is the role for FINAS and PFM to foster the spirit of unity in the local film industry?", he asked.

Shanjhey Kumar Perumal, whose critically acclaimed Tamil-language movie 'Jagat', about the difficult lives of Indians in Malaysia was nominated for Best Picture (Non-BM) category, called the segregation a "disgrace" to the visual medium of films.

Saying that the use of BM as the factor in the main "Best Picture" award category was in line with the Federal Constitution to preserve its identity as the national language, she also called on people and enthusiasts not to "racialise" the issue.

"If Finas and PFM don’t take note about this before the festival and still persist with segregating films into Bahasa Malaysia and non-Bahasa Malaysia, I will return the two awards I won at FFM previously. I will return them on Monday in a programme with Finas. I will return both of them,” Mohd Noor Kassim was quoted as saying by Astro.