KUALA LUMPUR: Streaming platform iQIYI has agreed to temporarily take down the six episodes of ‘Madu atau Racun’ that have already been released, while the remaining six have been postponed to allow all 12 episodes to undergo editing and a fresh review.
National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib said the decision was reached at a meeting with iQIYI and the relevant production company, following instructions from Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
He said iQIYI and the producer had also apologised and agreed to accept Finas’ feedback and the assessment panel's views to improve the drama’s content.
"iQIYI and the producer are responsible for resolving the issue and have agreed to remove the episodes that have been uploaded temporarily,” he told reporters after the meeting at the Finas main building in Hulu Kelang here on Wednesday (Sept 2).
Azmir said the episodes would be edited in line with guidelines issued by the Film Censorship Board (LPF) and the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) for over-the-top (OTT) streaming content, before the panel assesses all 12 episodes.
He said no date had been set for the drama to return to the platform, as the production team and iQIYI would first have to submit a revised version for assessment.
"Only after the panel is satisfied with the revised version will it be allowed to be shown to the public,” he said.
On Finas’ role, Azmir said censorship and content did not fall under the agency’s responsibilities under the Finas Act, which includes regulating filming activities, workers and production companies, as well as cinema licensing.
He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) currently regulates the Internet and television stations, while the regulatory framework for OTT content is still being developed.
Azmir said Finas nevertheless has regulatory powers through the Filming Authentication Certificate (SPP), which is required by production companies in Malaysia, including those producing content for international platforms, OTT services and YouTube.
He said Finas is mulling over adding further conditions to the SPP to allow action to be taken against production companies if their content caused public concern, offended religious and racial sensitivities, or affected social harmony.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr Zulkifli Hasan said in a statement this morning that his ministry rejected the streaming of the drama "Madu atau Racun” and expressed regret over the inclusion of elements that touched on religious sensitivities and local cultural norms, whether explicitly or implicitly.
The 12-episode drama, produced by MIG Production Sdn Bhd and directed by Eyra Rahman, began streaming on iQIYI on Aug 14, 2026, starring Aliff Aziz, Uqasha Senrose and Elisya Sandha.- Bernama
