In a statement, PFM president Panchacharam P Nalliah said Finas was unable to carry out its functions as its chairman and other members had yet to be appointed.

“Requests to screen local films for Finas’ mandatory screening scheme committee are increasing due to the lack of a new chairman for that committee, who is supposed to be a Finas board member.

“Additionally, state governments are not abiding by the policies Finas and the Film Censorship Board (LPF) have set,” Panchacharam said, in reference to the controversial film “Pulau”.

On Feb 18, the Terengganu state government said it was ready to meet with the film’s producer, Fred Chong, to discuss the ban on the movie in the state.

Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the state government would allow the producer to present his arguments regarding the film for the ban to be re-evaluated.

Panchacharam also said Putrajaya’s unpredictable policy changes when it came to films was a concern for local and international producers, as well as investors.

“The extremely high 25% entertainment tax is still imposed on every ticket sale by the federal government (in the Federal Territories) and state governments,” Panchacharam noted.

He said there were local films that were ready but had yet to receive a screening date from Finas, causing huge financial burdens on producers as they needed to continue promoting the movies.

“PFM begs Fahmi to focus on developing the nation’s creative industry and appoint Finas’ board members as soon as possible. Expediting this process will be a huge help to the film industry.”

Last December, former Finas chairman Zurainah Musa confirmed that her tenure had been shortened by the communications and digital ministry.

On Jan 18, Fahmi said a new chairman and board members would be appointed soon and that they would also look into possible leakages and graft in funding local films.