Two Cents Argument with Sipuntum on 'Apa Khabar Orang Kampung' Ban

Previously Amir Muhammad's latest documentary-movie about Malay Communists were banned by the Malaysian Censorship Board due to 7 reasons

Amir Muhammad had just submitted a letter with 14 reasons to explain and to counter the 7 by Malaysian Censorship Board.
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A blogger had posted this:
Sipuntum wrote:
I watched his short films overseas before. my two cents, government is quite right to ban this film. Most of his films are not suitable for general audience in term of script and I can't see any 'good' moral behind it.My advice to filmmakers, when you make a film, you need to think what is your contribution to the society? Can the society get your message? It's so unethical to make the film just for money, or kind of your 'art work'..end of days, the society become even more confuse..it's your obligation...my two cents anyway...
27/02 16:02:18

Below is my comment in the Malaysia Today article "Amir appeals against 'Apa Khabar Orang Kampung' ban".

Dear Sipuntum,

Argument: "Most of his films are not suitable for general audience in term of script and I can't see any 'good' moral behind it."

1) Not all stories released by Malaysia censorship has "good" moral. Therefore your argument that "not having good moral" type of story should be banned is invalid. Furthermore, this movie is for age 18 above viewers, not for general viewership.

Argument: "My advice to filmmakers, when you make a film, you need to think what is your contribution to the society?"

2) Knowledge is a form of contribution to the society. Society needs to know the truth, opinions and listen to both sides of story on independence. "Apa Khabar Orang Kampung" is to detail what the Communists think about their homeland and struggle. Therefore it is ethical and useful to Malaysia.

Argument: "It's so unethical to make the film just for money, or kind of your 'art work'"

3) "Lelaki Komunis Terakhir" was a critically acclaimed movie. Expectedly, it failed to succeed commercially in a big way (not the big money-making type). As for the "art work", I do not understand how you can describe it as unethical when it is just filming down what people think about certain incidents?

Argument: "end of days, the society become even more confuse..it's your obligation"

4) If the society becomes more confused, it would mean there are certain parties twisted the truth about the independence. Maybe what you read in the text book was twisted. Maybe the people in the movie twisted the stories? However, that does not mean we should believe only one side of the story, which is the text book and disregard the other.

IT IS AN OBLIGATION FOR ANY FAIR-MINDED INDIVIDUALS TO ALWAYS SEEK THE TRUTH than being spoon-fed and accept whatever materials that one party gives.

IT IS AN OBLIGATION FOR an ethical filmmaker to seek the truth and contribute it to the society, which I think Mr Amir Muhammad is doing quite well.

My two cents worth is, please, think from a big angle. Do not narrow your perspective. Do some research before giving any two cents worth of opinion. Try to do some research before coming to a conclusion. Do not smear someone without any proper points.

Thanks and Regards..

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