The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned that the
government is considering banning more books and is intimidating book
retailer in a move to prevent public debate. Its latest move has been
to confiscate two books, Where is Justice and 1Funny Malaysia,
published by online news site Malaysiakini.com.

On 29 Jan, the news portal reported that sixty-four copies of the books
have been confiscated from two of a retailer's outlets in the states of
Melaka and Penang. A spokeperson from Malaysiakini said the police and
the Ministry of Home Affairs told the publisher that they are studying
the books for content that is prejudicial to public order and morality.
He also said that following the confiscation, the retailer will not be
selling the books until the Ministry has reached a decision.

The confiscation of books in order to study whether the books are to be
banned is questionable procedure – book banning is a severe violation
of freedom of expression, and to confiscate books on the mere concern
that they may be offensive takes this violation to extremes.

The government's excuse that the books might be 'prejudicial to public
order and morality' is highly questionable. The books discuss a current
crisis of governance, Where is Justice questions the police and the
anti-corruption commission for cases of death in custody while 1Funny
Malaysia is a collection of political cartoons by Zunar, a Malaysiakini
contributor.

This is not the first time Zunar's work is prevented from circulation.
In last August his cartoon magazines on current affairs were also
confiscated by the Ministry on the excuse that they lacked a
publication permit.

The Home Ministry was also reported to have extend the gag on the
circulation of another book, Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in
Turbulent Times for further 60 days for similar study. Copies of the
book, authored by Asian Wall Street Journal former editor Barry Wain
and contend that the fourth Prime Minister was responsible for losses
of RM100 billion during his terms in office, were confiscated since 24
Dec last year from the Port Klang checkpoint. The incidents show that
public discussion and criticism of the Federal government are
consistently restricted. The government is violating the people's right
to free speech and opinion instead of improving its services to counter
the critics.

We call for the Ministry to immediately return the confiscated books and allow them to be distributed at all outlets.

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit
organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and
free where all people will enjoy free media and the freedom to express,
seek, and impart information.

Ends

Issued by
Sonia Randhawa
Director

For more information please contact Wai Fong at 03 4023 0772.