your say

'The only time Umno/BN has been so repressive was in 1987 in the weeks leading up to Operation Lallang. Twenty-three years later, the same stifling atmosphere has cast an ominous pall over the nation. Storm brewing, folks...'

Kim Quek's book banned

JBGUY: Where is the freedom to express our opinion? Has the ruling party become so autocratic that any view contrary to that of the ruling party is deemed anti-constitution or seditious in nature?

This book by virtue of the KDN's (Home Ministry's) actions will now be really sought after. I am sure the people will be able to find it despite the ban. Kim Quek, you must send a thank you note to the home minister for you have achieved fame due to his ministry's high-handedness.

Kgen: Why not suitable for general reading? I've read the book and it should be mandatory reading for every citizen as it exposes a shocking amount of corruption and abuse of power of the BN regime, backed up by detailed facts and figures.

I guarantee your mind will be numbed after reading Kim Quek's book.

KJ John: It is truly a sad day for Malaysia when books like this are banned. We are tending towards a police state.

Phra Ong Chao: I don't need a bunch of fascists telling me what I can or cannot read. I will decide for myself.

Chritopher Loi: When will the Home Ministry realise that they cannot decide what is good reading and what is not for the general public. If a person cannot fathom the issues or subjects of the book, then don't read. Please don't play the father saying to the son 'don't read that book'. We are all adults.

Only racists like Ibrahim Ali's Perkasa and the likes should refrain from reading books. Oh, that is if they know how to read as most of these books do not have pictures for them to understand the contents.

The Home Ministry must realise Malaysians are more matured then they think. But of course, there are some dumb ones also.

Swipenter: Say ‘Nah' to fascism in the making. All these thoughts-control measures are useless in this cyberage. One thing that is so predictable in the Umno-led government is to ban things they cannot handle or find them too hot to handle. These range from books, films, cartoons, songs, concerts, street performances, etc.

They think that making a thing illegal will solve the problem. They just don't have the capacity to refute and debate issues out. They pointed out that there are issues that "inciting hatred against the constitution and blah, blah, blah..." How and why, they cannot explain to the public.

Lim Lye Seng: Najib Razak had just written his own political obituary. He will be the first sitting PM to lose to the opposition. Nothing he and his fascist government will stop the collapse of his corrupt regime. Regime change is inevitable.

Victor Johan: It is ashamed that the government of the day can not refute the contents professionally and democratically. This is a popular book that has been read by many already.

The march to Putrajaya is inevitable now. Are Najib, Hishammuddin Hussein and the Umno goons already fearful that the coming GE13 is going to be their 'Waterloo'? We await.

Maitreya: The only time Umno/BN has been so repressive was in 1987 in the weeks leading up to Operation Lallang. Twenty-three years later, the same stifling atmosphere has cast an ominous pall over the nation. Storm brewing, folks....

Anonymous: The Home Ministry said the book contained elements of "baseless accusations and speculations" against national leaders and could incite public hatred and anger.

Hello, friend, even without the book, the mood of the public currently is already one of hatred and anger against Umno and its associates. A book like this would not have made much of a different. However, banning the book will only put Umno one inch nearer to the exit door of Putrajaya.

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: Print the book in India, US, UK, Australia, Singapore or elsewhere and sell it online or publish it online.

This only confirms that we are heading towards a police state as Umno/BN is losing its grip on power. It is yet another reason for foreign investors to hasten the collapse of the economy, and together with it, this authoritarian and oppressive government.

The PM talks rubbish abroad (openness and transparency) but back home, his security apparatus together with some despicable and degenerate civil servants are trampling on the people's fundamental rights.

A book can only be banned if it incites racial and religious hatred or animosity as that may generate a public order and safety issue, but a book even if based on "accusations" or "speculations" against government leaders as alleged by the Home Ministry can only expose its author to an action for libel or criminal defamation by the persons so defamed.

So where is the security or law-and-order problem?

P Dev Anand Pillai: With Malay leaders calling for their community to unite so that they will once again be able to put to an end any form of demand for equality by the non-Malays, how on earth are they going to be able to be world beaters and great thinkers if they can't read the opinion of an author who thinks and criticises differently?

The ‘bonsification' of the mind and the social engineering of the society is so entrenched in Malay leadership in Umno that they fear their own questioning them! It is up to the Malay youth of today - they would have to choose between being a standard political pallbearer like Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who would do anything to keep the masses dumb and clouded or be bold and face the world and challenges ahead and come out as victors.

MySecret: I suppose if we show "public hatred and anger" at Perkasa, then the Home Ministry will ban them. Yes?

 

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