Cover image via Vector
Putrajaya tightened the noose on freedom of onscreen expression when it recently issued a directive banning scenes considered 'inappropriate' in all local films aired on television
Image via ABN
According to Datuk Abdul Halim, while the printed guidelines were new, they had been in practice
Here are the 10 things you probably didn't know were banned from local films:
1. Kissing of any sort between Malay actors, however this will not affect scenes in Chinese, Tamil or Indian films. So embrace awkward side hugs everybody!
2. Even scenes depicting interaction between a human being and the physical manifestation of a spirit are actually not allowed. That's right folks, no more display of entities such as the saka and the jin!
Image via null
Don't worry, we'll still be able to rely on our [Malaysian superheroes](http://says.com/my/fun/malaysian-superheroes) to keep us entertained.
3. Smoking and drug related scenes are prohobited from all local films, but scenes involving alcohol and alcohol abuse have only been allowed for non-Malay films
Image via Pinterest
4. There has also been a ban on scenes of "women wearing form-fitting clothes, clothes that reveal the shape of the breasts, privates, thighs, buttocks, and underwear" (except for Indian women in saris)
Image via Pinterest
5. Violence, cruel and graphic scenes such as abuse and torture are banned from all films to avoid children picking up such behaviours
Image via Stream
6. Scenes and dialogue which mock, belittle, criticise the government and the country's national sensitivities or tarnish the government's image
Image via The Malaysian Times
7. Characters with horrifying, disgusting or even gruesome masks from horror films
Image via Behind The Exorcist
8. Scenes of characters breaking the country's laws are also included, unless it is an evil character and he gets his comeuppance
Image via Terbaek
9. Indecent behaviour? Yes folks, giving someone the finger or even dirty dancing on screen is a big NO
Image via Pinterest
10. Most exciting of all are the words that should be bleeped if they come on. These include celaka, dayus, binatang, bangang, barua, iblis, sial, mampus, berambus, setan, anjing… let's just say that the list goes on a fair bit.
Image via Daily Seni
