Ben Stiller's new comedy looks likely to be banned in Malaysia because it includes a plot to assassinate the country's prime minister.

BBC Entertainment News reports that Zoolander has been viewed as "definitely unsuitable" by the Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry Film Censorship Board. No ban has yet been imposed but a spokesman for the board said they would expect distributors to exercise discretion. Malaysia's main cinema operator, Golden Screen Cinemas, said they had not picked up rights to the film.

In Zoolander, which is released in the US today, Stiller plays the world's "second best" male model, Derek Zoolander, who is persuaded to assassinate the new Malaysian prime minister after plans are revealed to stop the exploitation of child labour in that country (so affecting the fashion industry). The film, written and directed by Stiller, has been developed from a sketch he wrote five years ago.

Malaysia has banned (and heavily edited) films before. These range from the the Oscar-winning Schindler's List to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.