Two major bookstore chains have reversed an earlier decision not to sell a new book on the May 13 communal riots.

Spokespersons from MPH Bookstore and Kinokuniya have confirmed that they have placed orders for the book 'May 13: Declassified Documents on the Malaysian Riots of 1969'.

A MPH spokesperson who requested anonymity, told malaysiakini that his company had initially stopped selling the book after officers from the Internal Security Ministry confiscated several copies of the book on Tuesday from one of its outlets.

Ministry officers also reportedly warned the company not to sell the book as it may be banned.

The seizure of 10 books followed an announcement by Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow that his ministry was 'studying' the book. On Wednesday, he was reported to have said that there was no ban in place.

According to the MPH spokesperson, the company reversed the decision lately but he was unaware of their rationale for doing so.

Similarly, a Kinokuniya Bookstore spokesperson said the company, taking into consideration Fu's announcement that the book was not banned, has placed a fresh order for the book.

It was displayed on the shelves on Tuesday, but all 30 books were sold within three hours. The store did not place fresh orders upon hearing about the seizure but Fu's assurance on Wednesday has now reversed its decision.

Media spotlight

Another major bookstore chain Popular Bookstore, told malaysiakini that the company has no qualms about selling the book.

The book distributor who declined to be named suggested that due to the media spotlight on the book, many readers have swamped bookstores looking for the book and hence influencing the two major bookstores to reverse their earlier decision.

Book publisher Suaram said the first batch of 1,000 books were sold out within two days of its launch on Sunday. The first reprint of 2,000 books are underway and should hit the streets next week.

Suaram had also demanded that the Internal Security Ministry return the seized books, which was not paid for, in seven days or they would proceed with legal action.

In another development, China Press yesterday reported that the Internal Security Ministry may not take action on the book, in order to give the public another perspective on the May 13 incident.

Quoting ministry sources, the report said the public should not rely completely on the recently declassified documents from the Public Records Office, London, which formed the backbone of the book.

"British information is not always right, such as their involvement in Iraq and Middle East. Moreover, when the riots happened, the British have left Malaysia for about 10 years. The documents are not credible," said the source.