KUALA LUMPUR: A prosecution witness, who lodged a police report against the controversial film ‘Mentega Terbang’ in 2023, testified in the magistrates' court that the movie did not make her question her Islamic faith.
Yamna Ismail said she had already learned about reincarnation from other sources, including reading materials, films and anime, before watching "Mentega Terbang".
She said this during cross-examination by defence counsel Zaid Malek.
Zaid: Although this film mentions reincarnation, you remained a Muslim?
Yamna: That's right.
Zaid: So, this film did not cause you to deviate (in your faith)?
Yamna: No.
The 39-year-old housewife was testifying on the fourth day of the trial involving the film's director Khairi Anwar Jailani and producer Tan Meng Kheng.
When asked whether other people in the country's multiracial society could also learn about reincarnation from other sources, as she had, Yamna said: "I can only speak for myself. I'm not sure about other people".
She also disagreed with Zaid who suggested that the film could not lead Muslims astray simply because it discussed reincarnation.
Yamna had previously testified that the film offended her as a Muslim, citing several scenes touching on faith, reincarnation, prejudice, double standards towards Islam and comparative religion.
During today's proceedings, she disagreed with Zaid's suggestion that she had lodged a police report to safeguard Islam and not because she was offended by the film.
However, when Zaid referred to her police report, she changed her answer and agreed with his earlier suggestion.
She also admitted that she had not used the word "offended" in the report.
Zaid also questioned her claim in her witness statement that she had watched the entire film on Feb 26, 2023.
When asked which platform she had used to watch it, Yamna said she had watched it on YouTube on her phone.
Zaid: I'm suggesting to you that the film was not available on YouTube on that date.
Yamna: I agree.
She did not answer when asked whether she had been untruthful in her witness statement.
According to the amended charge, Khairi, 34, who also wrote the screenplay, and Tan, 39, had intentionally wounded Yamna's religious feelings through the film at 12.34pm on Feb 26, 2023.
The charge under Section 298 of the Penal Code carries a maximum jail term of one year, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
“Mentega Terbang” was released on Nov 28, 2021, before the home ministry banned it on Sept 1, 2023.
Deputy public prosecutors Nor Azizah Aling and Nadia Izhar appeared for the prosecution.
The trial before magistrate Heng Yi Min continues on Jan 25 next year.