Fictional gays must repent in Malaysia

Filmmakers can depict homosexuals for the first time in strictly censored Malaysia, so long as they repent or even go straight in the end, an industry group said.

Strict censorship rules in the mostly Muslim country mean books and films are routinely banned or scenes deleted that are deemed detrimental to moral values or religious sensitivities.

Malaysian Film Producers' Association president Ahmad Puad Onah says the new censorship guidelines reverse a ban on scenes featuring homosexuality.

"We are now allowed to show these scenes as long as we portray good triumphing over evil and there is a lesson learnt in the film, such as from a gay who turns into a [straight] man," he said.

Mr Onah says the new rules will allow greater freedom of expression for filmmakers, though kissing, undressing and obscenity scenes will still be banned.

"We can do almost anything now but we are urged to give due considerations on the film's impact on certain areas like public order, religion, socio-culture elements and moral values," he said.

Subjects such as illegal racing can also be depicted.

A New Sunday Times report at the weekend said local movie V3 Road Gangster, about illegal racing, was being shown in the cinemas since it satisfied the rules as the illegal racers either died or were caught by police at the end.

Another movie that has recently passed Malaysian censors was a film featured the life of a transvestite. It will be screened in May.