Gerakbudaya to challenge govt ban on two CPM books

Book publisher Gerakbudaya has slammed the government for banning two of its publications that narrate stories about the struggle of the Malayan Communist Party (CPM).

In a statement, the company said it was served with a notice from the Home Ministry today on the banning of a memoir on prominent CPM figure Shamsiah Fakeh.

The other book that was banned was titled “Komrad Asi (Rejimen 10): Dalam Denyut Nihilisme Sejarah”, which was published in 2022.

“We view this action as a step that narrows the space for discourse and hinders the development of an intellectual culture.

“These books were published as reference materials and historical reflections that provide room for society to rethink matters critically.

“Therefore, we firmly state that we will challenge this ban through the appropriate legal channels. We reject any form of censorship intended to control thought and silence historical discourse,” the publisher said.

According to Gerakbudaya, the memoir titled “Memoir Shamsiah Fakeh: Dari Awas ke Rejimen ke-10” was first published by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2004 and has been reprinted three times since.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Home Ministry for comment.

As of press time, the two books mentioned are not yet included in the Home Ministry prohibition order list.

PKR ‘abandoning’ progressive roots

In an immediate reaction, PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan called the ban “baffling” as the books had been in circulation for some years without issue.

Arutchelvan also accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of abandoning PKR’s progressive roots, as evidenced by the increased sidelining of leftist contributions to the nation’s struggle for independence.

“It is worth recalling that when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed independence in 1957, he acknowledged the role played by leftist movements in hastening the process of independence.

“Why then, in this day and age, under what is described as a progressive administration led by Anwar, are such books being banned?” he questioned.

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