KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak's call for Netflix's Man On The Run documentary to be removed has instead driven many to watch it on the streaming platform.
As of 1pm today, the one-hour 38 minute film, which premiered on Friday, was ranked second in the Top 10 Movies in Malaysia Today, climbing from the fourth spot yesterday.
NST Online's post on Najib's demand through his counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah garnered a myriad of reactions from social media users.
There were those who questioned Najib's intention while others who had no idea about the film said they would be watching it before any potential removal from Netflix.
Prakash Kandasamy said, "The more he makes noise about removing this documentary, the more views it is going to garner!"
Chan Cwy wrote," I was never interested in this movie although it appeared each time I browse through Netflix programmes. Now I will definitely watch it."
Edgar Sum commented, "Wow I never knew there is such a documentary...now more Malaysians will know and try to watch it, by hook or crook. Thank you lawyer."
Basil Siing said,"He just promoted the movie so I guess it will go to box office soon."
Others who have watched the film, like Pisa Ng said," It is a very nice movie. Must watch and show to youngsters that crime doesn't pay."
Calvert Sin described the documentary as a great example of the importance of whistleblowing.
"The truth will always prevail no matter how the wrongdoer denies them," he said.
Ganesan Suppiah said he had watched it and found nothing new than what was already known to the world and Malaysia.
"Watching Man on the Run should be a deterrent to all politicians who want to be corrupt. Why must it be removed?" he said.
Yesterday, Shafee said the defence team wants the government to remove the documentary, which tells the story of the 1MDB financial scandal.
Shafee had said the show, which interviewed several high ranking individuals such as former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas and current prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as extremely sub judice and contemptuous.
Shafee added Najib had instructed him to file a contempt proceeding against Thomas and file a legal action against Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown for her statements in the documentary.
Netflix declined to comment.
A post on Najib's Facebook page read that Shafee had told the court that the film presented wrong facts and slander against his client.
It said that the film had also played up propaganda that had been repeated before the 14th General Election.
It said the film had, among others, linked Najib to the murders of deputy public prosecutor Datuk Anthony Kevin Morais and Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The post questioned how obvious slander could be presented in the documentary when it was clear that Najib was not involved.