Honorific titles in shows allowed as creative content

DRAMAS with characters using honorific titles such as Tun, Tan Sri and Datuk Seri are allowed as long as they do not break the guidelines and the principles of Rukun Negara, says Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

The Communications and Multimedia Minister said the content of shows on television, including creative content, that brings general messages was constantly monitored.

“In our community, there are many types of titles - teacher, ustaz, ustazah, tok imam, tok guru, Yang Berhormat, Yang Amat Berhormat, Datuk Seri, Datuk, Datin and so on.

“We allow these creative approaches in the drama scripts as long as they do not go against the guidelines and the principles of the Rukun Negara,” he told Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (PH-Hulu Langat) during Question Time yesterday.

Hasanuddin wanted to know whether the ministry monitors drama scripts that have characters with titles like Tan Sri and Datuk Seri who are involved in immoral activities.

Annuar said there were two methods of procurement of broadcast materials, one of which was those produced by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) itself, which was more controlled with a clear message.

“The other is the procurement of creative ideas, including drama, by other parties which involves having to go through a ‘pitching’ process for evaluation.

“The content of a drama should be adapted to current situations and society.

“We have now entered the phase of national recovery, so we should revive the spirit of the Malaysian Family, the principle of togetherness, current values ​​and national values ​​should be encouraged to be applied through the medium of broadcast, including in drama and telemovies,” he added.

To a question from Dr Maszlee Malik (Bebas-Simpang Renggam) on whether the ministry would help promote the country’s professional wrestling, Annuar said he had little information on the matter but was prepared to work with sports bodies, including wrestling, to assist the growth of the sports industry.