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Gay news: New rules say films must 'portray good triumphing over evil'
OK if you go straight in Malaysian movies
Gays OK in Malaysian films, if they go straight
New censorship guidelines for the Malaysian film industry have removed a strict ban on showing homosexuality, as long as gay characters mend their ways by the end of the story.
Ahmad Puad Onah, president of the Malaysian Film Producers' Association, explained the new rules to Agence France-Presse.
"We are now allowed to show these scenes," he said.
"As long as we portray good triumphing over evil and there is a lesson learnt in the film, such as from a gay character who turns into a straight man.
"Previously we are not allowed to show these at all.
"We can do almost anything now but we are urged to give due considerations on the film's impact on certain areas like public order, religion, socio-culture elements and moral values."
Censorship laws in the mostly Muslim country result in books and films being routinely banned or having passages or scenes deleted that are deemed detrimental to moral values or religious sensitivities.
Section 337 of the Malaysian penal code prohibits heterosexual and homosexual sodomy, with punishments including fines, whippings and up to 20 years in prison.
Section 337a more narrowly prohibits acts of "gross indecency with another male person", with punishments including up to two years in prison.
The new censorship guidelines also allow other illegal activities to be shown, but with the same proviso that immorality must not be shown to prosper.
Reportedly, local movie V3 Road Gangster was passed by the censors at the weekend because the illegal racers either died or were caught by the police at the end.
