The Film Control Division can trace its beginnings to the Board of Film Censors which was established under Section 3 of the Film (Censorship) Act 1952 (amended 1971). Initially, the Board of Film Censors was placed under the Ministry of Information. However, its office was located at the National Film Department at Jalan Barat, Petaling Jaya as it had to make use of facilities at the department such as theatres and film censorship equipment.

At the time, the Board of Film Censors comprised a chairman and members who were permanent officers of support group B. By the 1960’s, in view of the influx of X-rated films, Parliament had established a select committee to study the problem. This committee changed board membership by selecting specially appointed group A officers.
Subsequently, the board was placed under the ministry’s administration, as Division B. At the time, its office was located at the Arab Malaysian Bank building in Kuala Lumpur. This division was responsible for matters related to immigration, national registration, the Registrar of Societies, film control as well as publications. However, following the restructuring of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Film and Publication Control Division became Division C, while Division B continued to be responsible for immigration, national registration and the Registrar of Societies.

The Film Control Division was formed following the Cabinet reshuffle on 27 March 2004, when the Publication, Film and Qur’anic Text Control Division (Division C) and the Ministry of Home Affairs were respectively split into two. The Film Censorship Unit and part of the Enforcement Unit as well as the Board of Film Censors were placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs and renamed the Film Control Division, while the Publication Control Unit and Qur’anic Text Control Unit were placed under the Ministry of Internal Security. After the merger of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Security, the Film Control Division was renamed the Film Control and Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Vision
To manage the censorship of films and film publicity materials as well as carry out efficient and effective enforcement

Mission
To establish the Film Control Division as a respected film censorship and enforcement body

Objectives
To ensure that all films and film publicity materials manufactured, produced, in possession, in custody, under control, screened, exhibited, circulated, rented or sold in Malaysia have been censored and approved by the Film Control Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs and to carry out enforcement against any person who contravenes the Film Censorship Act 2002