"The Raid 2" banned for being too violent

10 Apr – Earlier, it was announced that "The Raid 2: Berandal" had been banned in Malaysia, which led to an outcry because there was no reason given by the local authorities for the ban.

Astro Awani recently reported that Film Censorship Board (LPF) Chairman, Dato' Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid revealed that director Gareth Evans' Indonesian action film was banned due to excessive violence.

"LPF banned the screening of "The Raid 2" because it has too many violent scenes shown in the film which is not suitable for approval.

"We have already seen the movie with two LPF communities and the report on the ban on the film has already been given to the distributors in Malaysia. They have our report," said Abdul Halim.

"The Raid 2: Berandal" was scheduled to be screened in cinemas across Malaysia on 27 March before the ban, with Nusantara Edaran Filem (NEF) to distribute.

A spokesman for NEF said that they are trying their best to lift the ban.

"We are still trying to appeal to LPF to examine the content of the movie once again."

Indonesian Democratic Party leader Pramono Edhie Wibowo also disagreed with the ban, and said that "The Raid 2: Berandal" is a work of art and it should be appreciated as the rise of the Asian creative industry.

The first instalment, "The Raid: Redemption", was previously screened in Malaysia in 2011.