The Home Ministry has banned a Malaysiakini book by popular cartoonist Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, or better known as Zunar, under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

NONE In addition to Zunar's '1Funny Malaysia' - which is published by Kinibooks, a subsidiary of Malaysiakini - two other comics were also banned.

Home Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam said the ban was issued following the contents in the three publications that were deemed unsuitable and undesirable for public reading.

In a statement issued today, Mahmood said the book banned was titled ‘Perak Darul Kartun’ and the two comics titled ‘Isu Dalam Kartun’ and ‘1Funny Malaysia’.

"All three publications have been banned for its contents that can influence the people to revolt against the leaders and government policies. The contents are not suitable and detrimental to public order," he said.

'Where is Justice?'

book where is justice However, Mahmood did not mention the fate of another Malaysiakini book - 'Where is Justice?' - copies of which were seized along with '1Funny Malaysia' from a number of bookstores four months ago.

'1Funny Malaysia' is a compilation of cartoons by Zunar, while 'Where is Justice?' is about death or brutality in police custody focusing on four prominent cases - Teoh Beng Hock, A Kugan, Altantuya Shaariibuu, and Anwar Ibrahim.

Licensing offences under the Act are punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment or fines of up to RM20,000 or both for printing, importing, producing, reprinting, publishing, selling, circulating, distributing, offering to sell, possess prohibited material or contents.