KUALA LUMPUR: A prosecution witness in the criminal trial of “Mentega Terbang” director Khairi Anwar Jailani and producer Tan Meng Kheng told the magistrates' court here today the film's Muslim characters portray reincarnation in a positive light.
Yamna Ismail, 39, who filed a police report against the film in 2023, testified that several scenes and dialogues involving the main character Aisyah and her parents promoted reincarnation, which she said was contrary to Islamic teachings.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Zaid Malek, Yamna was asked to identify scenes supporting her allegations.
She cited some scenes, including one in which Aisyah smiles after seeing a white butterfly at her mother's grave.
She said the scene showed that Aisyah had accepted the concept of reincarnation.
Zaid: I suggest to you that none of the scenes show Aisyah believing in reincarnation without a single doubt.
Yamna: I disagree.
Zaid: Show me where Aisyah says she believes in reincarnation, in any of the scenes.
Yamna: There's none.
Zaid further suggested that she had misinterpreted the scenes and dialogue, arguing that their interpretation should take into account the actors' facial expressions, intonation, and background music.
Yamna disagreed.
Zaid: So, are you saying you can understand dialogue without understanding the context?
Yamna: Yes.
Khairi, 34, who also wrote the screenplay, and Tan, 39, were charged on Jan 17, 2024, with intentionally wounding the religious feelings of others under Section 298 of the Penal Code.
The film was released on Nov 28, 2021 before the home ministry banned it on Sept 1, 2023.
In July, the Court of Appeal upheld the home minister’s decision to ban the screening and publicity of the film, ruling that the prohibition was lawful and that the relevant provisions of the Film Censorship Act were constitutional.
Deputy public prosecutors Nor Azizah Aling and Nadia Izhar appeared for the prosecution.
The trial before magistrate Heng Yi Min continues tomorrow.