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KUALA LUMPUR – The Film Directors’ Association of Malaysia (FDAM) has come out to condemn the work of quarters supposedly responsible for circulating pirated versions of locally produced movies, calling for stern action be taken against them.
FDAM president Ahmad Ibrahim called on the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, and police to take prompt action against pirates spreading illegal copies of such films.
This comes after local director Asmawi Ani, famously known as Mawi, alleged that pirated recordings of the Hantu Kuat Ketawa motion picture he directed were being distributed through a group on the Telegram instant messaging application.
The movie was first screened via pay-per-view listings on the Astro First on-demand channel on January 27.
FDAM, in condemning the actions of the pirates, called for action to be taken against the perpetrators.
“FDAM is in contact with Mawi who told us that his latest film, Hantu Kuat Ketawa, had been hit by piracy.
“Hence, FDAM is ready to assist Mawi, who is also an FDAM member, to find the best solution to ensure illegal pirating does not happen anymore,” Ahmad said in a statement today.
Recently, Mawi was quoted saying in several reports that he found out about the pirated versions of his movie being circulated illegally after friends told him about the group on Telegram.
The director of Akademi Fantasia fame also lamented how piracy today is still rampant, saying it only further demotivates players within the film industry to see their work being pirated and circulated for free. – The Vibes, February 5, 2022