PETALING JAYA, AUG 30-There should be no problem in allowing Tanda Putera to be screened in cinemas but the government should not have promoted the May 13 riots as if it is a historical document, said Anwar Ibrahim.
“It is overly done, the film is promoted in Felda, schools, universities and probably in every lesson in the National Civic Bureau (BTN).
“We are a free country, but you don’t promote it like it is a communist-style propaganda,” the PKR de facto leader said at a press conference today.
Anwar was commenting on the “advise” issued by the Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang government discouraging cinemas in the state from screening the film.
The filmmaker was accused of subscribing to the government’s account of events on the race riots in 1969 which took place after BN’s loss of its two-third majority in the GE.
Tanda Putera opened in cinemas yesterday after nine months of delays.
Anwar said he was made to understand the Penang government only gave an advice and had not issued a ban on the film. “We have to remind the public that the film is promoted as propaganda,” he said.
“Now there is a statement from Shuhaimi Baba that this is a work of fiction. If it is, then say so. Otherwise you are manipulating history and inciting racial discord,” added Anwar.
Pakatan against GST
On another matter, Anwar also said Pakatan Rakyat will oppose the introduction of goods and services tax (GST) unless the government addresses the issue of alleged corruption.
Several key government officials had proposed the GST, which widens tax bracket to every single individual when they make purchases, to be included in the coming Budget 2014 to shore up the government’s coffers.
“(The government) seems to be under pressure from the United States to compromise national interest. We oppose GST because there are issues to be resolved first,” said Anwar.
“Minister in the Prime Minister Department’s Idris Jala says we will be getting RM27 billion in revenues. Yes, but from whom, from the people.”
