By Claire Huang | Posted:
12 July 2010 1745 hrs
SINGAPORE: Censors have banned the film "Dr Lim Hock Siew"
by filmmaker Martyn See Tong Ming, with effect from July 14 under
the Films Act, saying it is against 'public interest'.
A statement from the Information, Communications and the Arts
Ministry said the film "gives a distorted and misleading portrayal
of Dr Lim's arrests and detention under the Internal Security Act
(ISA) in 1963."
It added that the government "will not allow individuals who have
posed a security threat to Singapore's interests in the past, to
use media platforms such as films to make baseless accusations
against the authorities."
Neither will it allow such individuals to use films to give a false
portrayal to exculpate their guilt, or undermine public confidence
in the government.
The film, banned from July 14, has also not been granted a
certificate for its exhibition.
Under the Films Act, possession and distribution of a prohibited
film is an offence.
An offender is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000
or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or
both.
Last September, censors passed "Singapore Rebel," a film by the
same filmmaker which features opposition figure Chee Soon
Juan.
It passed with an M18 rating - four years after it was
banned.
It became the first political film to make the cut after the Films
Act was amended in March to relax the rules on such films.
- CNA/al/jm