Filmmakers Demand Action Against Producers Of Racist Merdeka Video

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A screenshot from the ad which shows the father making some derogatory statements about Indians and Chinese, with the son nearby.PETALING JAYA: A Merdeka-themed video with racist remarks is “worrying and embarrassing” and appropriate action should be taken against its producers, the Film Directors’ Association of Malaysia (FDAM) said today.
In a statement, FDAM said it “strongly objects” to the video produced by Muslim NGO Ikram in which a Malay father is seen uttering racial slurs while stereotyping other races in front of his son before being reprimanded by his wife.
“FDAM is of the view that the advertisement, which was posted on social media platforms, is not suitable for viewing nor should it be used as some form of teaching guide.
“FDAM urges the authorities, namely the home ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to take appropriate action against those responsible for the video,” FDAM president Ahmad Ibrahim said, adding that it would serve as a lesson for others not to do the same.
He also hoped the communications and multimedia ministry and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) would look into the video and take whatever action necessary.
The viral video, which has since been removed by Ikram from its social media platforms, shows a Malay father describing Indians and Chinese in derogatory terms and stereotyping them as “gangsters” and “drunk drivers”.
Later on, the son shows his mother his completed homework of a drawing of a Malay, Chinese and Indian – with the Malaysian flag in the background – with racial slurs and stereotypes under the Chinese and Indian characters.
The video then has the boy saying: “I was not born racist, but I was taught.”
Ibrahim said that although the public service announcement (PSA) concept video has a disclaimer that says the “racist words observed in this video are for filming purposes only”, it still offends the various races and can affect the long-established unity among communities.
He added it was “worrying and embarrassing” that the video had been widely shared on social media before being removed.
“The message of this video is very implicit but it should be remembered that the intent does not legitimise the means. Do not prey on other races for the sake of unity,” he said.
“FDAM hopes that the value of unity, especially the ‘Malaysian Family’ concept introduced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob can be appreciated as much as possible by every member of society in the country so (that) all Malaysians do not carelessly try to play on sentiments surrounding racism.”
Ikram vice-president Shahrul Aman Mohd Shaari did not want to comment on the video when previously contacted by FMT. - FMT

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