‘Honey or Poison’: Government, Creative Industry and OTT Platforms Must Come to the Same Table

Malaysia’s television producers want the government and streaming platforms to stop meeting only after a controversy erupts. They are calling for regular discussions on digital and over-the-top content before disputes arise.

The Malaysian Television Producers Association proposed a consultation involving the Communications Ministry, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, OTT platforms and relevant industry associations.

“

The issue should be viewed as an opportunity for the government, creative-industry players and OTT platform operators to sit together and build a more responsible, progressive content ecosystem with clear guidelines.

PTVM President Datuk Jurey Latiff said the aim was not to restrict creativity. Instead, he said, the parties should find a balance between artistic freedom, commercial interests, industry development and responsibility toward society. He argued that freedom to create must come with responsibility, supported by shared understanding, clear guidelines and continuing communication among regulators, platforms and creators.

“

We should not sit at the same table only when a work has already become controversial.

The proposal follows controversy over a same-sex romance scene in the drama series Honey or Poison, which angered some members of the Malaysian public and drew criticism from Zulkifli Hassan, the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for religious affairs. Jurey said consultations could prevent the familiar cycle in which the government blames the industry, the industry blames the platform and platforms interpret the guidelines differently.

He said Malaysia’s content industry needs an ecosystem built on cooperation and trust rather than action only after an issue becomes heated. PTVM is prepared to act as a bridge between the government, production companies, creators and platforms. The association wants the creative industry to keep growing and producing boldly while understanding its responsibilities to Malaysian society and the country. In that view, the Honey or Poison controversy should become the starting point for closer cooperation, not simply another isolated dispute.

“

The creative industry needs freedom to create, but that freedom must come with responsibility built through shared understanding, clear guidelines and continuing communication.