SINGAPORE -- Singapore has banned ****Zoolander****, a black comedy starring Ben Stiller as a male model dragged into a plot to kill Malaysia's prime minister, just as sneak previews of the film were set to start on Friday.

The board of film censors said in a statement it withdrew the certificate issued for the movie due to "controversial elements gathered from feedback", Reuters reported.

The board did not specify exactly why ****Zoolander**** was banned -- whether over drug references or in a show of solidarity with neighboring Malaysia, which has already stopped it from being shown.

The film was released in the United States in September rated for viewing by those 13 years of age and older.

Singapore typically censors or bans films and publications deemed to have excessive amounts of drug references, as well as anything that could foment intolerance among the Chinese, Malay and Indian communities.