PETALING JAYA: The decision not to screen the Pixar animated movie Lightyear was taken by its distributors, says the Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF).

       The board said the distributors, The Walt Disney Company (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, decided to pull out from screening the movie after refusing to comply with certain conditions, including removing certain parts which promote the LGBT lifestyle.

       "After watching Lightyear, we decided to approve the movie with a PG13 classification with certain changes, where few scenes were to be censored and other scenes muted," said LPF in a statement on Friday (June 17).

       "LPF would like to clarify that the film was approved with changes and the decision not to screen was taken by the Walt Disney Company.

       “LPF is committed to its responsibility where film censorship and publicity materials which are exhibited for screening do not normalise or promote LGBT elements which are against the country's policy of not recognising LGBT lifestyle,” it said.

       "This was also in line with film censorship regulations under the Home Ministry, which was, however, rejected by the distributors,” it added.

       The board said with the powers vested under the Film Censorship Act 2002 (Act 620) and Guidelines on Film Censorship, Home Ministry 2010, certain aspects such as safety and public order, religion, sociocultural, manners and decency are taken into consideration when approving movies and publicity materials.