Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has appealed to the Malaysian Censorship Board (LPF) not to ban Power Rangers from cinemas

Nazri to LPF: Don't ban Power Rangers, slap on P13 rating instead

NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has appealed to the Malaysian Censorship Board (LPF) not to ban Power Rangers from cinemas, after it was revealed that the superhero film would feature a gay protagonist.

Nazri suggested for LPF to place a P13 rating on the movie, which is scheduled to screen nationwide beginning Thursday, instead of banning it outright.

“Parents should be allowed to decide whether to allow their children to watch the movie or not. Who better to decide for their children if not their father and mother?” Nazri said during a press conference at Parliament here today.

Nazri, who is Padang Renggas MP, said LPF had no right to decide what was best for other people’s children.

“We have never appointed LPF to be our moral guide or guardian. Their standard should not be used as a standard for all Malaysians. We ought to do something about this,” he added.

According to early reviews of the film, the character of Trini the Yellow Ranger, played by the pop star and actor Becky G, is revealed in one scene to be having “girlfriend problems”, a moment that the film’s director has described as “pivotal” in the film.

“I don’t think (straight) women will become lesbians after watching the movie. I appeal to LPF not to censor or ban Power Rangers,” he added.

This came after the film Beauty and the Beast was banned in Malaysia for its portrayal of one its supporting characters.

Just days before its original opening date at the cinemas here on March 16, the film was caught in a controversy over one its “exclusively gay moments”.

In a bid to adhere to the country’s cultural and religious sensitivities, LPF decided to make minor edits, prompting Disney to stand its ground by refusing to screen the movie in Malaysia.

“Unknowingly, their (LPF’s) actions are promoting the film. People get more curious and they can get the movie from the Internet,” said Nazri, who had recently hit out at LPF over the ban.

However, The Walt Disney Co (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd today confirmed that Beauty and the Beast would be released with no cuts for Malaysia audiences on May 30.