Horror flick hits a bad note

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian horror-comedy flick Hantu Bonceng has hit a bad note with PAS over its script. The party claims it contains elements that insult Islam.

However, its director Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nadzri said he had no intention of mocking Islam or offending any party.

“I am shocked over the fuss. They have also labelled me as jahil (ignorant) about Islam,” he told a press conference that was called to address the controversy on Tuesday.

The 90-minute movie which opened on Aug 31 in cinemas in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, and also available via subscription on Astro, was reported to have grossed RM8.4mil within its first five days.

Ahmad Idham said the film had been approved by the Film Censorship Board.

“If the scene was deemed too sensitive, why didn't they cut any of the scenes?” he asked.

Meanwhile, PAS Youth has handed a memorandum to Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) outlining its objection to the film.

Its chief Nasrudin Hassan said in a statement that there were many parts of the film which could be deemed as controversial.

“How come the Film Censorship Board approved it?” he asked.

“Many people may see it as just entertainment or just acting, but to us it means more than just a film.

“The director must consider viewers' sensitivities. We want Jakim to take action against the movie as it has elements that insult Islam.”

The Film Board Censorship said it would review the film again following the call from PAS Youth.

Its chairman Raja Azhar Raja Abdul Manap said the board members did not come across such elements when evaluating the movie.

“Nevertheless, we will review the movie to see if the scenes complained about by PAS Youth are offensive,” he said.

Hantu Bonceng is a horror-comedy which tells the story about a mat rempit who is haunted by the ghost of a girl who was killed in an accident while riding on his motorcycle.

It stars comedian Zizan, Juliana Evans and Jue Aziz.