LPF chairman Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid told The Star Online that the scene axed from the movie concerned a “gay moment” that had become a “sensitive” issue.

“The film has been approved with a P13 parental guidance classification, with a minor cut,” he said late Monday.

A P13 rating requires that children below the age of 13 be accompanied by a parent.

“We have approved the film so there is no more issue with the LPF. Once a film receives approval, it means it can be screened.

“However, the date of screening and where the screening takes place is not under LPF’s jurisdiction. We only look at the content and give a decision on whether the movie gets approved or not,” the news portal quoted him as saying.

Film distributor The Walt Disney Co (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd earlier told FMT in an email that the nationwide release of the movie originally slated for March 16 had been deferred pending an internal review.

The live-action remake of the Disney classic recently courted international controversy after its director Bill Condon told UK magazine Attitude that the character of Le Fou, played by Josh Gad, would have a “nice exclusive gay moment” in the movie.

In response, Russia barred children under the age of 16 from viewing the movie.

The movie stars Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast and Luke Evans as Gaston.