Kim Quek reserves right to legal action on book ban

The author of The March to Putrajaya , Kim Quek, says he is reserving his right to take any legal action necessary to challenge the Home Ministry's banning of the book.

In a press statement, he questioned the ministry's action in invoking section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 to ban the book and disputed its contention that he had incited hatred against the federal constitution.

Describing the ministry's claim as "a sick joke", Kim said the common theme throughout his book was his appeal to readers to be faithful and to defend the constitution, "even on the much politicised Article 153, which has been deliberately and dishonestly misinterpreted to carry out all sorts of racist agenda, and has therefore attracted much misgivings.

"I advocate adherence, not defiance. If at all I made criticism, these were always directed at the people who betrayed (the constitution), like the masterminds who engineered the power grab in Perak, the judges, prosecutors and police who trampled on the constitution in order to protect and preserve the unconstitutional state government."

Kim ( left ) wants Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to give an example to show his disaffection for the constitution, or of his "incitement of hatred". He also welcomed criticism of his work.

"If he can't, he should apologise to me and the ministry should withdraw his statement and the ban. I also reserve my right to take the necessary legal recourse to protect my constitutional rights."

In announcing the ban yesterday, home ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam said it was not suitable for general reading as it contained "baseless accusations and speculation" against the national leaders and could incite public hatred and anger.

Accusations are 'not baseless'

Kim also denied that he was making baseless accusations and speculation against the national leaders.

Saying what he had written were based on facts that were well known and issues that have not been satisfactorily rebutted, he asked, "If I told lies and defamed people, why hasn't anybody sued me, or denied the veracity of my articles.

After all, these have been well publicised in many popular web portals, blogsites and party organs, and hence such information has been in the public domain for a long time. I have not received a single complaint from any one claiming to be injured."

Kim said he would be too happy clarify to any allegation that Hishammuddin could bring up with proof.

He also questioned whether one should condone corruption by leaders, and how the people would react to this.

"Of course they will be angry. But who should take responsibility for having caused the people's anger? The one who betrays the people's trust by stealing public funds or the one who informs the people of such public frauds? The blame rests squarely with the corrupt, not with the whistle-blower."

'A patriot

for criticising'

Kim said that if there was one dominating theme in his book, it was the message of reform.

The country had to undertake serious reforms and it should be done now, or there would be a heavy price to pay, which no one would like to bear.

"I consider myself a patriot for pointing out the ills of our current political status quo. In fact, Umno should thank me for doing so, for isn't it true that all the top leaders of Umno have been singing the tune of reform since the 2008 general election?

"Why not take the hard medicine from me - medicine that will do you good?"

In its condemnation of the Home Ministry banning The March to Putrajaya, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) said it believes no book should be banned to prevent the circulation of ideas.

"The Home Ministry is being unreasonable and defensive by linking criticism of the ruling government with public disorder, especially when criticism of those in power is the hallmark of a functioning democracy."

In calling for an immediate lifting of the ban, Suaram also said the Printing Presses and Publications Act, under which the ban was imposed, should be repealed.

"Once again, the application of the law has been arbitrary and is being abused by the state as a political tool for hegemonic purposes, rather than to maintain social order."

It noted that prior to the ban, copies of the book were seized by the authorities in Kuantan and in Kuala Lumpur.