PETALING JAYA: A group calling itself United Sikhs has urged the Malaysian film industry to avoid producing movies that could hurt the feelings of any particular community.
Mat Kilau, a film based on a historical figure, contained scenes where Sikhs, who were brought in from India as part of the British colonial forces, were seen “laying hands on old folk, children, and helpless citizens”, the group pointed out.
It said the Sikh code of practice prohibits them from doing this, even during any conflict or war.
“While the controversial scenes in the movie were fictional, they are distasteful and hurt the sentiments of Sikhs,” it said in a statement.
United Sikhs said the portrayal of other races and religions as villains could potentially lead to racial disharmony.
Mat Kilau, directed by Syamsul Yusof, is the highest-grossing Malaysian film of all time, having earned RM53 million in just 13 days.