Beauty and the Beast shelved in Malaysia despite removing a 'gay moment'

Beauty and the Beast has been shelved in Malaysia despite being approved after removing a “gay moment”.

The country’s two main cinema chains said the film had been postponed indefinitely.

Film Censorship Board chairman Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid said he did not know why the film was postponed by Disney as it was approved after the minor gay scene was cut.

Abdul Halim said: “We have approved it but there is a minor cut involving a gay moment. It is only one short scene but it is inappropriate because many children will be watching this movie.”

He said scenes promoting homosexuality were forbidden and that the film was given a P13 rating, which requires parental guidance for children under 13 years of age.

Abdul Halim said there was no appeal from Disney about the decision to cut the scene.

Disney officials have yet to respond to a request for comment, the Associated Press said.

Josh Gad’s character LeFou, who plays the sidekick to the villainous Gaston (Luke Evans), “is confused about his sexuality,” according to director Bill Condon.

He enjoys an “exclusively gay moment” at the end of the film during a group dance, which sees him dancing with a woman, before sidling up to the dress-loving henchman.

Stanley Tucci spoke recently about the importance of a gay character in the live-action remake, but said the film is challenging an even bigger screen taboo — interracial couples.

The American actor plays Maestro Cadenza, the husband of Audra McDonald’s character Madame Garderobe. They are one of two interracial couples alongside Lumière and Plumette, played by Ewan McGregor and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

He said: “This movie will have more resonance than ever — and is needed more than ever. The idea of two mixed-race couples was very unusual.

“Living in England now, you see that a lot on television, whereas in America you don’t see that very often.

“On TV, you’ll see an advert for insurance and it’s a black woman and a white man or an Asian man and a white woman — never in America do you see this. The fact these things are part of this film is really, really important.”

Beauty and the Beast is set for UK cinema release on Friday.