Stop politicising revocation of Hew's book ban - PKR Youth

PKR Youth has urged all quarters to stop politicising the court ruling over former DAP member Hew Kuan Yau’s “Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism” comic book.

In a statement, the youth wing’s legal bureau chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi said the Home Ministry’s decision to lift the ban against the book was to abide by a court decision.

“The ban was lifted only after all the court proceedings on the matter had concluded, where the government has to abide by the order of the Court of Appeal dated July 6, 2022.

“The Madani government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is always committed to preserving the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in this country,” he said today.

Asheeq noted that the country’s judiciary has complete freedom to decide on any legal matters, following existing laws and the Federal Constitution.

“Therefore, we urge all quarters, including component parties of the Madani government, to respect the court’s decision and stop politicising the lifting of the comic book ban.”

Vocal critic

Although Asheeq did not mention names, this was believed to be about Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who has been a vocal critic of the issue.

Akmal previously asked the government to file a judicial review against the court decision that lifted the ban. He also slammed DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok who supported the lifting of the ban.

The revocation of the ban was published in a federal government gazette on Monday, signed by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Aug 6 under Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

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 Home Ministry announced it was banning the book on Oct 23, 2019. On April 26, 2021, the High Court dismissed Hew’s application to quash the ban.

On July 6, 2022, the Court of Appeal allowed Hew’s review to quash the ban. Then on Dec 8, 2022, the Federal Court dismissed the Home Ministry’s appeal, thereby sustaining the Court of Appeal’s decision.

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