A book of cartoons and another containing social commentaries were seized by the police for "investigation purposes," according to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

The books concerned are entitled 1Funny Malaysia and Where is Justice respectively.

"It is the duty of the police to ensure that publications do not incite anger among the public or threaten national security," he said in his written reply to Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) in Parliament on Thursday.

NONE It was previously reported that seven bookstores - one in Penang, two each in Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Johor Baru - have had 57 copies of leading political cartoonist Zunar's 1Funny Malaysia ( left ) and 61 copies of Where is Justice confiscated since Jan 7.

1Funny Malaysia is the second of the cartoonist, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anuar, to be seized.

His cartoon magazine Gedung Kartun was also taken away last August.

Where is Justice: Death and Brutality in Custody details police abuse.

NONE It includes studies of four prominent cases- Teoh Beng Hock, A Kugan, Altantuya Shariibuu and Anwar Ibrahim.

Both books are published by Kinibooks, the publishing arm of Malaysiakini .

Hishammuddin ( right ) also added that the book Malaysian Maverick : Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times was simply stopped at the country's entry point for investigation before determining its suitability for import or otherwise.

‘Seizure not cabinet decision'

"The confiscation of any publication is routine work for the ministry to ensure that no unwanted literature makes way into the country," he said.

He added that the ministry found the book to contain writings likely to offend the country's leadership and the institution of Malay rulers.

Hishammuddin denied that the cabinet has issued a directive for the book to be seized.

"If the book was not categorised as an unwanted publication under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, then there is no reason why the government would stop the import of this book," he said.

Written by former Asian Wall Street Journal editor Barry Wain, 800 copies of the books are being held up in Port Klang since being confiscated in November, 2009.

The book claims to be a definitive account of Mahathir's years in power and offers a critical study of his policies.

It also alleges that Mahathir was responsible for RM100 billion in financial scandals during his 22-year tenure as premier.