We refer to the Malaysiakini report Christian children books seized .

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned with the recent seizure of Christian-themed books by the Internal Security Ministry, fuelling concerns that religious texts are under strict scrutiny in the country.

While we realise that publications - both local and imported - are subject to the ministry's guidelines, CIJ feels that there is a continuous effort to target religious texts, in particular on Christianity and Islam, for control.

The seizure also suggests that the ministry is willing to act on limited prompting, in this case complaints from the Islamic authorities, without applying broad-based discussions on the impact of such content.

The ‘Islamic authorities’ claim that the books contained illustrations of the Prophet deemed offensive. Calls made by CIJ to the Internal Security Ministry for verification and comments went unanswered.

The seizure violates the people's right to freedom of information and expression. Seizing more than the needed copies for investigation, while the titles are not banned, denies the right of the people to access the book and is clearly highhanded.

Such highhandedness has caused alarm and discontent among the people - the public outcry over the Catholic Herald permit issue and the suit by the Sidang Injil against the government for confiscating the Malay version of Christian books are indicative of people feeling it increasingly difficult to accept the government's measure.

We also find objectionable the lack of transparency in the decision-making of both the Islamic authorities and the Internal Security Ministry reflected by the absence of identifiable complainants and the lack of clear explanation by the ministry.

We recommend that the ministry set up a committee to review its guidelines and policies on published content available in Malaysia. It is high time that the guidelines are open for public discussion. We also urge the Internal Security Ministry to return the books seized to the bookstores and retain only a minimum for investigation.

CIJ aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free, where all people will enjoy a free media and the freedom to express, seek, and impart information.

The writer is executive director, CIJ.