The publisher of the controversial new book ‘Allah, Liberty and Love’ by Canadian author Irshad Manji today ticked off those calling for the book to be banned by reminding them that they have not even read the book.

NONE “The book is considered sensitive to certain communities, a threat to national security and according to Jakim, dangerous.

“All these comments are based on an absolute fact that none of these persons had read the book and therein lies the problem...,” Ezra Zaid of ZI Publications said today.

Ezra, however, quipped that he is “delighted” and glad that there is a lot of discussions on a book by “clerics, politicians, readers and non-readers” alike as Malaysia, “while literate, is not a literary society”.

Speaking at the Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur, he noted that the banning of books “fuels ignorance” instead of sparking discussion and debate.

Ezra was speaking at the launch of 'Ampun Tuanku: A Brief Guide to Constitutional Government', a book written by his father and Kita president Zaid Ibrahim on the role of the constitutional monarch.

NONE In his speech, Zaid ( left ) said that ZI Publications chose to publish the Bahasa Malaysia edition of 'Allah, Love and Liberty' because Manji speaks of “kindness and forgiveness” instead of “punishment, damnation and hell”.

“She may not be a novel Islamic scholar but she is Muslim and writes about Islam from a different perspective,” he said.

Later speaking to reporters on the sidelines, he said the book is “selling well” and he does not expect it to be banned despite calls from many quarters.

“It is not something a modern democracy does... Only North Korea bans books,” he said, noting that he too, does not agree with everything Manji writes. 

He added that the two books are likely to have a “negative impact” on Kita and himself, especially in the general election.

“But I don’t care,” he said.

‘What can the sultans do for us?’

In his speech, he said he did not choose to write and publish 'Ampun Tuanku' because he “likes controversy”, as many are fond to believe.

“It so happens that the things that interest me are controversial. What can I do? This subject of monarchy is controversial... because our laws are so crazy. The Sedition Act (which has been used to bar criticism on the monarch) should be repealed.

“I’m courting trouble but I hope not. We want to see this country progress, we want to it to be better, have a better set of leaders. That’s what we have to do. If we have to court danger... well...,” he said.

He said he wrote the book in anticipation of the 13th general election, in hopes that the monarchy will guide the country and its political actors into following due process in the aftermath of the elections.

“Otherwise, we have chaos. Politicians don’t always have the capacity or magnanimity to accept defeat in an electoral process. Power is difficult to give up. There is no precedent, nothing to guide us if there should be a change of government at federal level...” he said.

The book also touches on the role of the monarchy in Islam, a religion which he says in this country is “hijacked” by politicians from “both sides of the divide”.

“I’m not suggesting to do away with religious leaders or that politicians not talk about religion but to pay more attention to the values of religion (like) integrity, honesty and kindness...

“I suggest the rulers take the role of developing this kind of Islam; it is within their powers... (We) can’t just focus on books and concerts, gays and lesbians.

“How many gays are out there anyway? I don’t know, but surely there are more women left by husbands with no recourse or financial support,” he said, calling for more attention on Islamic family laws.

NONE Earlier, human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar ( right in photo ), who Zaid had consulted in the writing of the book, said that he found the book interesting.

He said that post the Perak power grab in 2008, Malaysians are no longer ready to accept the stereotypes and are asking questions about the role of the monarchy.

“There is a big need to discuss in an objective manner what the sultans can do for us and what they are meant to do according to the (federal constitution). Zaid Ibrahim asks these questions,” he said.

Limited edition hard-cover versions of the book are available from the publisher at RM80 each while paperback copies will be in stores by July.