PETALING JAYA: The government said it did not ban “Lightyear” from being screened in Malaysia but approved it with minor cuts and “muting” of a specific dialogue.
The film censorship board (LPF) said it found elements that promoted a homosexual lifestyle and that such scenes went against its guidelines.
“‘Lightyear’ was approved for screening with fair and relevant cuts recommended, with a P13 parental guidance rating. However, the film distributors have refused to oblige.
“The decision not to screen the film was at the discretion of the distributor, The Walt Disney Company (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, not LPF,” it said in a statement.
LPF said it is committed to censoring films and their publicity materials for the public’s good and would not compromise on any scenes with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) elements, in line with the government’s stand.
“Lightyear” is based on the character Buzz Lightyear from the popular “Toy Story” film franchise. It is being released globally today, with 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries refusing to screen it over a scene depicting the marriage of two female characters.
This is not the first time an animated movie has not been shown in Malaysia.
“The Prince of Egypt” (1998) was not released in cinemas here because it visually depicted Moses, a prophet in Islam, while “Abominable” (2019) was banned because of a scene depicting the Nine-Dash Line. The Nine-Dash-Line encompasses approximately 90% of the three million square kilometre South China Sea which China claims sovereignty over.