Film Censorship Board (LPF) was established in 1954 in Singapore. Two committees have been set up namely in Singapore (for the Straits Settlements) and the other in Kuala Lumpur (for Tanah Melayu). In 1966, LPF Headquarters moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

LPF’s function is to implement policies for film censorship and censoring films all across Malaysia. The first Act adopted was the Cinematograph Films Act 1952 (Amendment 1966), followed by the Film Censorship Act 2002 (Act 620) which is in force until today.

LPF is headed by a Chairman and assisted by a Vice-Chairman and a team of Board Members. In performing its duties, the Board is assisted by staff of a Secretariat headed by an Undersecretary.

Film censorship task is performed by a panel of three Board Members. The panel’s decision is presented to the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board for consideration. Decision is made based on rules and criteria stipulated in three basic documents: The Film Censorship Act; The Censorship Guidelines; and The Specific Guidelines Censorship.

Function and Methodology of Earlier Film Censorship

Initially, film censorship function was implemented as early as 1908, before the establishment of the LPF. At that time, the task was performed by the police under the Theatre Ordinance 1908, which authorized the police to determine the suitability of a scene in a film. Police authorities also raided and confiscated films which violated regulations.

The first law, specifically on the control and censorship of films was the 1924 Cinematograph Films Ordinance enacted for the Straits Settlements, followed by the Enactment Cinematograph Films (Control) in 1927 for the Federated Malay States and Johor. Thereupon, a law for the whole of Malaya, Cinematograph Films Ordinance 1952 came into force.

At that time, film censorship was done by an officer responsible to the Chief of Police.