KUALA LUMPUR: Everyone must accept the postponement of the film, Tanda Putera, if that is the decision of the Film Censorship Board (LPF), said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. 

"That (postponement) is up to the authorities. (It's) not under the purview of the minister (of information).

"If the censorship authority (LPF) makes the decision, we have to accept," he told reporters when asked to comment on the rumour that the film, which was scheduled to be screened on Nov 15, was being postponed to next year.

The LPF, an agency under the Home Ministry, is responsible for censoring all films, whether local or foreign films, before being screened or distributed for public viewing.

Tanda Putera describes the struggles of second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and his deputy, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, in developing the country after the May 13, 1969 tragedy.

It was scheduled to be screened last Sept 13, but postponed to Nov 15.

Media reports yesterday stated the film director, Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba, as confirming that the film would only be screened next year, but did not state the reason.

Asked whether the postponement was made because the general election was fast approaching, Rais said: "That, I don't know."

- Bernama