Police have recorded a statement from the publisher of former attorney-general Tommy Thomas’ memoir following a deluge of reports.
Gerakbudaya founder Chong Ton Sin confirmed that he was quizzed for about an hour at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
“I cannot remember which department. The officer just asked normal questions like from where I obtained the contents of the book and where the printing was done.
“However, I was not told under which section I am being investigated,” he was quoted as saying.
Chong added the books were flying off the shelf after a news report that the government may ban it following the uproar it has caused.
He said the second print run of 5,000 copies was already sold out, with Thomas purchasing 2,000 copies. Gerakbudaya is now preparing for a third print run soon.
“People have been buying the books. It’s sold out so fast. Maybe people want to get it before the memoir is banned,” Chong said.
Chong also denied the book was removed from the Gerakbudaya website for fear of government intimidation or public backlash. He said the publisher-cum-distributor just could not cope up with the overwhelming orders.
“There is no such thing, it’s just that we have a lot of orders to fulfil already and putting the book up on the website would be pointless if there are (currently) no more books,” he said.
Earlier today, Utusan Malaysia reported the Home Ministry was mulling a ban on Thomas’ memoirs for breaching the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA).
The report also said the ministry was liaising with the Attorney-General’s Chambers regarding several controversial chapters of the memoir.
Thomas has chosen to remain silent on the backlash.
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