The Ministry of Home Affairs through the Film Censor Board has set up five new film classification guides for 2023, the guide will come into force starting today.
Under the new guide, the classification ‘U’ will be for viewers of all ages, ‘P12′ for viewers with parental guidance required for viewers under 12, ’13’ for viewers over 13, ’16’ for viewers aged 16 and over and ’18’ for viewers 18 and over. Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Ministry has improved the existing film classification which was implemented in 2012.
The determining factor behind the new classification of movies and films is to offer the freedom for adult viewers to choose the films they want to watch and to protect children and adolescents under the age of 18 from being exposed to film content that is inappropriate for their age said the Minister. “It includes encouraging parents to be more responsible in guiding their children to choose suitable movie content to watch,” he added. The Ministry foresees the 2023 Film Classification is expected to have a positive effect in the aspect of standardisation and improvement of film classification standards in Malaysia and to be comparable to the film classification or rating system implemented abroad.
In view of the new classification, the Ministry hopes it can be a guide and reference for local film producers and directors in supporting the growth of local creativity in the film and broadcasting industry.
The film classification system was introduced in 1953 which classified films into two categories namely For Adults Only and General Viewing, from 1996, the classification changed to ‘U’ and ’18’ which is divided into four sub-categories namely ’18SG’, ’18SX’, ’18PA ‘ and ’18PL’. Then, in April 2010, the classification of the film changed to ‘U’, ‘PG13’, and 18. In January 2012, the classification changed to the previous ones, namely ‘U’, ‘P13′, and ’18’
