Find ways to continue ban on Hew's book - Umno leaders

Umno must continue to oppose former DAP activist Hew Kuan Yau’s comic book titled “Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism” - the banning of which was lifted recently.

According to Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi, the book allegedly glorifies former Communist Party of Malaya leader Ong Boon Hua, also known as Chin Peng, and spreads communist ideology.

“The rakyat is disappointed with the Home Ministry’s decision to lift the ban on the comic book. The government must find a way for the ban to continue.

“The comic clearly glorifies Chin Peng. It subtly spreads communism. Many members of the security forces lost their lives in the armed struggle against the communists,” Puad (above) wrote on Facebook this morning.

He noted that the communists continued to fight against the government long after the country achieved independence.

“The communist ideology rejects the Malay rulers’ institution and is a threat to (the country’s) stability.

“A peace accord (achieved with the communists) does not mean that their threat is over. Umno must strongly oppose this,” Puad added.

It is worth noting that while the book touches on communism in China and the Uighur issue, it does not talk about the communist insurgency in Malaysia or its former leader Chin Peng.

Book ban

The revocation of Hew’s comic book ban was published in a federal government gazette on Monday (Aug 12), according to reports.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail reportedly signed the revocation order on Aug 6 under Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

The Home Ministry banned the book in October 2019, citing concerns that it promotes communism and socialism, and spreads misleading information about communism.

The book, released to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia, reportedly painted a glowing picture of China and its Belt and Road initiative, while putting the Western world in a negative light.

The book was also banned as its content was deemed prejudicial to public order.

Hew filed for judicial review against the move but the High Court dismissed his application in April 2021.

Following this, the Court of Appeal overturned the ruling in June and lifted the ban, prompting the Home Ministry to appeal at the Federal Court.

In December 2022, the Federal Court upheld the quashing of the ban.

File judicial review

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh also commented on the matter, saying while he respects the court’s decision to lift the ban on the book, it does not mean he agrees with it.

“To prevent injustice, we urge the government to file a judicial review application on the matter,” he wrote on Facebook last night.

He noted that the court decisions were made during the administration of two different governments, but that should not play a factor in the continuous banning of the book.

“Whoever the government is, the sensitivities of the majority Malay Muslims need to be prioritised and preserved to ensure the stability of this country.”

Yesterday, PAS leaders slammed the government’s action to lift the book ban and questioned Umno’s “silence” on the matter.

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