The London-based Economist has decided not to sell its yearbook titled 'The World in 2004' in Malaysia because an article written by jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim has been included in its contents.

"We've decided not to send the yearbook to your country because we're afraid the book will be banned by Malaysia's Home Ministry," distribution manager Tan Soo Wen from the magazine's Asia Pacific office in Singapore told malaysiakini today.

She said the decision was made by the Economist management in London after the book, published last November, was found to contain one article written by Anwar.

According to her, the London headquarters was unaware of Anwar's article as the Asian section was compiled by the magazine's regional office.

Two issues banned

"The decision was taken based on our past experience as articles about religion or politics in Malaysia are usually very sensitive. As such, the management felt that the article by Anwar could be deemed as sensitive by the Malaysian government." Tan said.

Citing examples, the manager said two issues of the Economist were banned in Malaysia last year where both posed questions on the ruling government and Islam, the official religion of Malaysia.

The first was the April 5 edition where the magazine carried nine articles under the heading 'The Changing of the Guard - A Survey of Malaysia'. The articles analysed the prospective change in premiership, Malaysia's economic achievements under Dr Mahathir Mohamad's leadership and political challenges facing the Umno leadership in retaining Malay support.

The issue was banned after the articles was heavily criticised by government leaders.

The second Economist issue banned last year was its Dec 20 edition in which the magazine published an article comparing Christianity and Islam.

Asked where Malaysian readers could obtain a copy of the yearbook, Tan said they are obtainable on-line or in other countries.

The yearbook is priced at RM50 per copy. The one-page article written by Anwar is published on page 77 of the 138-page book.

Struggle for democracy

In his article titled at 'A passion for freedom', Anwar wrote from prison about Asia's struggle for true democracy.

"Malaysia is not the only Asian country that claims to espouse democracy while punishing dissenters. In much of the region, democratic space remains cramped by draconian legislation, the slavishness of media organisations, the collusion of judges with politicians and the bias of enforcement agencies against government critics," the ex-deputy premier said in his article.

He also elaborated the struggle for democracy in other countries such as Philippines and Burma, where "political oppression continued". He opined that substantial progress towards democratic maturity was made in Thailand and Indonesia until the Sept 11 tragedy.

He also criticised the non-interference doctrine of Asean as "anachronistic".

Anwar is the only Asean leader invited to write in the yearbook which forecasts and examines critical issues that will shape the year ahead.

Other prominent world leaders who contributed to the yearbook included US Secretary of State Colin Powell, former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel, Oracle chief executive officer Larry Ellison and leading fashion designer Giorgio Armani.

Earlier today, Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Mohd Azmin Ali called a press conference to seek clarification as to why the yearbook was not available in Malaysia.

Mohd Azmin, who is also Hulu Kelang state assemblyperson, showed a copy of the book which he bought in Singapore recently.

He said many party's supporters were disappointed because they could not obtain a copy of the yearbook in the country.

Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is president of Keadilan.