Popular Bookstore will continue to sell a controversial book on the May 13 race riots despite indications that a ban could be imposed.

Customers had snapped up the books the moment they were put on the shelves, said a company spokesperson who declined to be named.

However, he declined to reveal the number of books sold.

"This book has gained a lot of response from readers. The first shipment has already finished in such a short time and we already have a second order, which will reach next week," he said.

On Wednesday, Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow said bookstores were permitted to sell the book, May 13: Declassified Documents on the Malaysian riots of 1969 , written by academic Dr Kua Kia Soong.

The ministry is mulling over whether to ban the book.

Checks by malaysiakini yesterday found that two major bookstores have stopped selling the book - MPH Bookstores and Kinokuniya Bookstore. However Popular stated that it would continue to sell the book unless it is banned.

A MPH spokesperson, who also declined to be named, told malaysiakini yesterday that it made the decision after officers from the ministry confiscated copies of the book on Tuesday.

However checks today revealed that MPH had taken fresh orders for the book from the publisher.

Bad publicity

Kinokuniya said it pulled the books off the shelve due to bad publicity.

"The book has created a lot of controversy in the newspapers. We pulled the book of the shelves voluntarily," said manager Ebby Wong.

"At first, we thought this book is just a normal history book, or a journal. That's why we ordered only 30 copies," she said.

Wong said when the book was put on the shelves on Tuesday, all 30 books were sold within three hours.

"However, we find that the book is the cause of much controversy, as seen in the dailies. Therefore, we decided it is better to stop the sale of the books. We are imposing self-censorship," she added.

She said the bookstore will continue selling the book if the ministry makes "a clear announcement" that the book is not banned.

Wong said she didn't not have a chance to read the book.

According to one of the ministry guidelines, the government has the right to confiscate materials found to cause racial disharmony.

Unveiling the May 13 riots