The film "Zahari's 17 Years" directed, shot and edited by Martyn See Tong Ming will be prohibited with effect from 12 April 2007 as the film is against public interest.

2          The film gives a distorted and misleading portrayal of Said Zahari's arrest and detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1963 and is an attempt to exculpate himself from his past involvement in communist united front activities against the interests of Singapore.  The Government will not allow people who had posed a security threat to the country in the past, to exploit the use of films to purvey a false and distorted portrayal of their past actions and detention by the Government.  This could undermine public confidence in the Government.

3          The prohibition is effected under section 35(1) of the Films Act.  Possession and distribution of the prohibited film is an offence. The film also has no certificate for its exhibition.

4          The film was submitted by Martyn See Tong Ming to the Board of Film Censors (BFC) for classification.            

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

10 APRIL 2007