Actors Dan Stevens (left) and Emma Watson pose for photographers at a media event for the film Beauty and the Beast in London, Britain February 23, 2017. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13— Tourism minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz today rubbished the postponement of the release of the Beauty and the Beast movie this week, calling it a ridiculous move.

Nazri said that moviegoers should instead be given a choice to make their own decision, as to whether they would like to watch the movie or not.

“I think it’s ridiculous. Come on. I mean it is in the storyline so you don’t do that if it’s there.

“You don’t ban a film because of a gay character.

“All these years even without the gay character in the Beauty and the Beast, there are also gays in the world. I don’t think it is going to influence anyone.

“We need to think, we must allow people to decide for themselves,” he added.

The live action remake of classic fairy tale from Disney has been removed from cinema listings and postponed indefinitely, pending an “internal review” by film distributor The Walt Disney Co (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

According to The Star Online, Walt Disney Co (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd confirmed that Beauty and the Beast which was due to be released this Thursday has been postponed, but gave no explanation as to the reason behind this decision.

The highly-anticipated Disney movie has already garnered controversy internationally after director Bill Condon told UK magazine Attitude that the character of Le Fou, played by Josh Gad, would have a “nice exclusively gay moment” in the movie.

“A murder scene, using the same argument can also influence a young child right but why not ban it

“Thousands of film showing murder, rape, robbery scenes , it’d all against the law how come you dont ban them?” Nazri said.