The Malaysian Insight

AFTER the public outcry against calls to censor Netflix content, a local streaming platform Aflix TV says those against censorship are failing the younger generation.

“Those who are angry at the suggestion to censor Netflix content, do not love children,” Aflix TV founder and chief executive officer Mohd Fadzil Hashim told The Malaysian Insight.

“If parents love their kids, they will choose content by Aflix TV,” said Fadzil, the entrepreneur behind Raudhah City Sdn Bhd, the developer of the “modern Islamic city” residential project in Cyberjaya.

He said he supported the suggestion by National Film Development Corporation (Finas) CEO Ahmad Idham Ahmad Nazri to censor content on Netflix, which raised the hackles of many Malaysians on social media.

Although Netflix has parental controls, Fadzil said it is better to censor all content rather than have different accounts for viewing, so the entire family can watch shows together.

“I, myself, am a Netflix subscriber, but its content cannot be viewed with children.

“Yes, Netflix has parental controls, but if parents want to watch Netflix shows at home, they have to watch separately from their children because of elements that are not in line with the values of Malaysian society, especially those who are Muslims.”

Previously, Ahmad Idham said the film development body had no authority over censorship, but was making the suggestion as uncensored shows could affect the country’s youth.

The veteran actor, director and producer was appointed to head Finas in March.

Aflix TV, which calls itself the “first world ethical entertainment streaming platform” had a soft launch on February 26 last year, according to its Facebook page, and is due to launch its full service next year.

This prompted allegations that Ahmad Idham’s suggestion to censor Netflix has been aimed at propping up Aflix TV, a claim Fadzil denies.

“Finas voiced out about the need to censor content on Netflix. All of a sudden, that statement is being used by irresponsible parties to suggest Finas has another agenda with Aflix TV.

“I want to stress, there is no connection between Aflix TV and Finas CEO Ahmad Idham,” said Fadzil.

He said Aflix TV last met Ahmad Idham on September 30, well before the latter’s remarks on censoring Netflix.

According to posts dated September 30 on Aflix TV’s Facebook page, the meeting was held to discuss how Finas could contribute archived content to its service.

The post stated Aflix TV’s mission to provide ethical entertainment for the whole family and expressed its thanks to Finas for endorsing its cause.

Aflix TV’s chief technology officer Mohamad Azarul Hakim agreed with the call to censor Netflix, saying it is what the public wanted.

He said many parents are worried about their children accessing content they should not be watching.

Netflix parental controls allow the user to create a 4-digit PIN that must be entered in order to watch specific shows and also to set profiles that curate shows suitable for children.

Azarul said it is better to have censorship so children could watch shows even when their parents are not with them.

“If parents cannot control or are unable to decide what is suitable for their children to watch, they should just choose Aflix.

“With Aflix, you can watch everything. If we love children, choose Aflix TV, so there will be no problems with inappropriate content for children or even adults,” Azarul told The Malaysian Insight.

Fadzil said Aflix TV will begin next year once it is able to collate at least 7,500 titles. To date, it only has 3,500 titles.

Packages will be priced at RM4 a month, or RM42 per year. – November 20, 2019.