MALAYSIA: AUTHORITIES BAN THE HIT TELEVISION SERIES 'MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS'

Record ID: 325242

  • Title: MALAYSIA: AUTHORITIES BAN THE HIT TELEVISION SERIES 'MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS'
  • Date: 22nd December 1995
  • Summary: MALAYSIA'S EDUCATION MINISTER, NAJIB TUN RAZAK SAYING "THE POWER RANGER IS OFF THE AIR? (LAUGHING) HE IS GOING TO BE . DISSAPOINTED POINTING TO HIS SON
  • Embargoed: 6th January 1996 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA3FQOKCXMOKFV7O2DUINW6OSHH
  • Story Text: This Christmas will be a sad one for many Children in Malaysia because the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" a hit television series has been axed.
    The reason being the authorities fear the use of the word "morphin" could have a "negative influence on children" who associate it with the drug "morphine".
    However a spokesman of the state run Radio Television Malaysia said the programme would be allowed back on air, if the word "morphin" was deleted.
    The furore over the use of the word "morphin" coincides with the staging of several live performances based on the hit television series in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
    Malaysia is the first stop in a tour of several asian cities which includes China and Singapore.
    The groups performances have been well recieved by enthusiatic young fans, for whom the weekly programme, telecast every Sunday night is not to be missed.
    "I'll be sad if I don't watch it -- because I like them so much", says 10 year old Suniha Suhutheran, who admits to not knowing the meaning of the word "morphin" in the show.
    While the Power Rangers may not impress parents in the same way as they do children, many felt the show provides good clean entertainment, despite the possible negative connotations of the word "morphin".
    "I think since its got a good following among kids, its got a good positive message, lets have it for the kids", said Dina Rizal who brought his two sons to see the power rangers in action.
    "Everything is mighty morphin power rangers right now for them", echoed Suniha's father Suhutheran.
    Even Malaysia's Minister of Education, Najib Tun Razak who attended one of the Power Rangers performances expressed suprise when told of the decision to ban the show, "The power rangers is off the air? He"s going to be dissapointed" he said referring to his pre-school-age son sitting on his lap.
    The shows producer, Nick Larkin said the word "Morphin" is used as it symbolizes the metamorphosis of ordinary teenagers into superheroes, but added that there was no hard and fast rule regarding its use.
    "In many parts of the world , it is known as just Power Rangers -- so I mean, we can drop the title":.
    In the meantime performances continue unabated with the Power Rangers proving to be just as irrestable without the support of Mighty Morphin.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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