Malaysia eyes censorship powers over Netflix, other streaming content amid creeping conservatism

First introduced by the British authorities in 1908, the film censorship board – which falls under the home ministry – has long been the bane of Malaysian auteurs and film-goers who accuse it of arbitrary and heavy-handed censorship that inhibits free speech and good storytelling.

On Thursday, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution defended the board’s role, citing the need to protect the morals and culture of all races in Malaysia, as well as the people’s religions and beliefs.

“Of course, such films need to be censored and, if excessive, a decision not to approve for screening will be given,” Saifuddin said.

The minister, whose speech aimed to “empower” the censorship board, also said that he is open to discussing with the communications ministry on whether the censors’ scope should be broadened to cover content on Netflix and other streaming services in addition to TV and movie content.

“Is there a need to – in the future – include streaming services under the censorship board? That is a new matter raised and I am willing to sit with the communications ministry to look into it,” Saifuddin said.

While the home ministry is in charge of film censorship, its power does not cover streaming platforms as internet content currently falls under the communications ministry.

His comment was in response to a question by an opposition lawmaker from the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) on censoring streaming content.

PAS has led the country’s turn towards conservatism since making gains in the 2022 election, putting pressure on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government to crack down on books, films and music festivals deemed as against Islamic values.

Activists at the Freedom Film Network (FFN) have long been critical of the censorship board,