The Malaysian horror blockbuster Jangan Pandang Belakang carried a U-rating. Rationale? It is agreeable that this movie is not even suitable for children and faint-hearted.
In the current system which has been implemented since 1996, movies are categorized into U and 18+ depending on the subject genre. The 18+ rating resembles those used by the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) by giving a R-rating for certain movies deemed unsuitable for the minors. In Malaysia, 18SG was previously used to indicate strong violent and horror genre deemed inappropriate to minor. 18SX for profanity and sexuality contents, 18PA for political and religious sensitivity; and 18PL for combination of one or more categories. U meanwhile was used to indicate a general viewing and releases, similar to MPAA's G-rating.
Read more to learn about the new classification.
The PG13, was later added into the classification in 2008 to expand the scope of the uses of U. In the past, censorship board was criticized for giving a U-rated for some local horror flick which the public deemed too gore to be watched by the minor. Classic examples are Jangan Pandang Belakang and Congkak, two blockbuster local horror that have set the trend for introducing the PG13 rating. It is also worth to note that there are times when some irregularities occurred in the past while rating a movie. Street Kings, Legion and Rambo 4 did have many of its F-words when uncensored while been given 18+ rating.
The solution is simple. LPF will abolished the current system and to be replaced by a simpler version of rating. Below is the new classification:
U - For general viewing without age limit
PG13 - Parents guidance needed for audience under the age of 13
18 - For 18 and above only
So, tell me what do you think of this new system. Is it going to be effective at all?
SOURCES: Cinema Online