We refer to the Malaysiakini report Authorities seize books published by Malaysiakini .

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is concerned that the government is considering banning more books and is intimidating book retailers 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 Jan 29, this news portal reported that sixty-four copies of the books had been confiscated from two outlets in Malacca and Penang. A spokesperson from Malaysiakini said the police and the home affairs ministry told the publisher that they were ‘studying’ the books for content that is prejudicial to public order and morality.

He also said that following the confiscation, the retailer would not be allowed to sell 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 a 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 deaths 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 have been prevented from circulation. Last August, copies of his cartoon magazine on current affairs were also confiscated by the ministry on the excuse that they lacked a publication permit.

The home ministry is also reported to have extended 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 Dec 24 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 writer is director, Centre for Independent Journalism.