Aliran today condemned the Home Ministry's alleged move in seizing copies of a book by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and submitted that such a move contradicts freedom of expression.

However, it also highlighted that such an action is similar to PAS' very own call to de-register Sisters In Islam (SIS) - a progressive non-governmental organisation championing the rights of Muslim women.

"If it is true that the books have been confiscated, it would certainly go against the very notion of freedom of expression and of diversity of opinions in a democratic society.

"Such an action would deserve all-round condemnation by people who treasure democracy and the freedom to express differing opinions," said Aliran joint-coordinators Dr Mustafa K Anuar and Anil Netto in a statement.

In making comparisons to other actions that curb fundamental liberties, Aliran drew similarities between the book seize, to PAS' recent call to de-register SIS.

"PAS was unhappy with the opinions expressed by SIS, particularly those relating to their view on certain aspects of Syariah law, in the wake of recent moral policing in Kuala Lumpur," added the duo.

Contradictory views

PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub's view - that opposing views should be countered by arguments and not extreme measures such as the book seize - was used by Aliran to identify that its call for SIS' ban was one such extreme measure.

The joint-coordinators added that open-debate and civil-discourse were vital as "only then can a culture of sober public discourse be cultivated and nurtured".

PAS had complained two days ago that copies of its book Hadharah Islamiyyah bukan Islam Hadhari (Islamic Civilisation, Not Civilised Islam ) were seized from bookstores in several states by Home Ministry officers.

The Islamic political party claimed that it was told that the book is in the process of being banned because it challenges Islam Hadhari - an interpretation of the religion currently promoted by the government.

Prior to that, PAS Federal Territory Youth division had advocated for SIS' ban citing the NGO's lobbying for the repeal of moral policing laws as detrimental to Islam's respectability.

This resulted in several other rights groups and even PAS' women's wing disagreeing with the 'hypocritical' call for the ban.