Production Team, iQIYI Ordered to Provide Explanation Regarding Content of Drama “Madu atau Racun” – Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF), together with the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), will hold a meeting with the production team and streaming platform iQIYI this afternoon to obtain a comprehensive explanation regarding the content of the drama “Madu atau Racun” (Honey or Poison), which has sparked unease and controversy among the public.

Communications Minister and MADANI Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) is also expected to participate in the meeting.

He said he had been informed by the Finas Chief Executive Officer regarding the airing of the drama on the iQIYI platform, which has raised public concern.

“Although the content of dramas and films aired via Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms is currently not directly subject to Finas licensing monitoring, the ministry has directed the CMCF under MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), together with Finas, to hold a meeting with the production team and iQIYI this afternoon to obtain an explanation regarding the content of the said drama,” he said.

Fahmi said this at the weekly post-Cabinet press conference here today.

The Communications Minister said Finas has regulatory authority over film and cinema activities, while MCMC has authority over television broadcasting and communications.

He said OTT platforms are currently still not fully subject to the same licensing framework as conventional broadcasting.

However, Fahmi stressed that the government will not compromise with any drama or film production parties that touch on religious and racial sensitivities in their works.

“The freedom to create must be accompanied by the responsibility to respect religious values, social harmony, as well as racial and cultural sensitivities, which are the foundation of national unity,” he said.

He said the government would also not hesitate to take appropriate action if the evaluation and investigation findings reveal any violations of any guidelines, regulations, or provisions currently in force.

Fahmi said Finas, on behalf of the parties involved, will issue a further statement after the meeting and discussions scheduled for this afternoon, regarding the outcome of the discussions and the follow-up actions to be taken.

Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, in a statement this morning, said his party rejects the airing of the drama “Madu atau Racun” and expressed regret over the act of incorporating elements that touch on religious sensitivities and local cultural norms, whether explicitly or implicitly.

“Madu atau Racun” is a television drama series produced by MIG Production Sdn Bhd. The 12-episode drama began streaming on the iQIYI platform on 14 August 2026.

BERNAMA