Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia today threw its full support behind the segregation of films according to language in the Malaysia Film Festivals (FFM) 2016, saying the move is relevant since more high quality non-Bahasa Malaysia films are being produced.

FFM has long recognised films that use Bahasa Malaysia, and the Malaysia Film Producers Association's (PFM) decision to separate the best film category from non-Bahasa Malaysia films is only logical to encourage the use of Bahasa Malaysia, it said.

“But we realised how, as of late, many films in other languages produced locally are high in quality and have managed to rake in high film proceeds.

“Therefore, Karyawan fully agrees with PFM’s suggestion to divide the category into ‘Best Film’ and ‘Best Non-Bahasa Malaysia Film’ as the solution.

“With the division of the best film category, not only will non-Bahasa Malaysia films be given recognition but the number of films to win awards will increase," Karyawan said in a statement today.

The artistes association said the issue could be solved by finding a middle ground to benefit all quarters.

“The issue should not continue to be politicised,” Karyawan added.

'Reflect Malaysia's multiculturalism'

Meanwhile MCA vice president Chew Mei Fun argued that that the awards should reflect Malaysia's multiculturalism.

"Since it is named the Malaysian Film Festival then rightfully Malaysia should be the yardstick and core consideration or else it should be known as Malay Film Festival..." she said in a statement.

She argued that the policy under which only local Malay films are being promoted from the very beginning is wrong and called for the current rules to be amended to truly reflect Malaysian diversity.

Being a multi-racial nation means that any films shot or produced by her citizens must not be disregarded as all languages and cultures in Malaysia are Malaysian.

Reminding all that the administration of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak promotes 1Malaysia, she called upon the Ministry of Multimedia and Communication to instruct PFM to make the necessary changes.

"Diversity is not found elsewhere, it is unique to us and to our advantage. As such, by opening up for films of other languages, PFM could play its part in helping to showcase Malaysia's diversity," she said.

The 28th FFM will take place on Sept 3 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, at 9pm.

The furore over the language segregation of films in the festival occurred after popular local films ‘Ola Bola’ and ‘Jagat’ were disqualified from winning the best film category.

The two films were not nominated for ‘Best Film’ as the films are not fully in Bahasa Malaysia.

They were nominated for ‘Best Non-Bahasa Malaysia Film’ instead.

This prompted local actor Afdlin Shauki (photo) to call a boycott of the festival, while filmmaker Md Noor Kassim announced his withdrawal from the film festival, despite being nominated for the best cinematography award.

And after being grilled at a public dialogue last night, PFM president Yusof Haslam said he would no longer involve himself in future FFMs.

Commending PFM, Malay rights pressure group Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said Bahasa Malaysia should be prioritised because it is the national language.

Ibrahim said it was regretful that Malay film industry professionals were seeking equal competition.

"When other races take their airtime or slots on TV, they will start wailing and claim discrimination," he said.