Home Ministry bans 7 books over alleged threat to public morality, peace

Summary

• The Home Ministry issues a statement that it has gazetted total ban against seven books for allegedly being a threat to morality and public order.

• They include several novels about romance, including an international bestseller.

• The public is reminded to abide by ban which includes prohibition against printing, selling and being in possession of the listed books.

The Home Ministry has banned seven books over concerns of their impact on public morality and order, including a famous romance-comedy novel “Love, Theoretically” by bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

According to a statement today, the ministry said the bans were gazetted under the Printing Presses and Publication Act and had come into effect between April 15 and 17.

Besides “Love, Theoretically”, the five other books that were banned for allegedly posing “potential moral harm” are:

• Tuan Ziyad: Forbidden Love by Bellesa

• Darlingku Mr. Cold Mafia by Nur Firsha Nadia Mohd Noor Kusairi

• Mischievous Killer by Aira Syuhairah Noradzan

• Kougar 2 by Shaz Johar

• The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas

Another book, “Suhuf Abraham”, was banned over its alleged potential to cause “harm to public order”.

The ministry said it decided to ban the books as a mechanism to control or prevent a threat before it becomes harmful to the public.

“The Home Ministry carries the responsibility to continuously protect public order and security, which includes controlling and enforcing laws related to the printing presses and publication.

“This is important to prevent the spread of any belief, ideology or movement that can affect harmony, public order and security,” it said in the statement.

The ministry also reminded the public to fully abide by the ban order, which includes the prohibition against publishing, importing, selling and possessing the said books.

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