Censors in Malaysia give OK to ‘Passion’

Censors have approved Mel Gibson’s controversial movie “The Passion of the Christ” for screening in Malaysia, but the government says only Christians should watch it and only specially designated cinemas can show it.

The film -- which stars Jim Caviezel as Christ and was a huge hit in the United States -- was widely expected to be banned in Malaysia, a multiethnic but predominantly Muslim country that often restricts movies about religion and other sensitive topics.

The government announced this week the movie could be shown, under certain conditions, but that publicity material such as posters and movie trailers were not allowed.

The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, a group of interdenominational churches, said Friday the government had consulted with church leaders, who agreed to the restrictions and were glad the film could be shown at all.