The home minister has banned a controversial comic book on the Belt Road initiative on grounds that it promotes communism and socialism.
In a statement, the ministry also said the book titled Belt and Road Initiative for Win Winism also contained factual errors.
“The contents of this publication among others try to promote the ideology of communism and socialism as well as spread wrong and confusing facts about communists while trying to raise support and sympathy towards the communist struggle.,
“It could raise the reader’s doubts especially to younger generations on Malaysia’s history, thus disputing the struggle by past national leaders in fighting for independence and the development of the country
“The contents of this publication is seen to not take into account the sensitivity of Malaysia’s diverse races and religion as well as seen to be a concern in disrupting the harmony and unity of its people,’’ said the statement.
The 164-page comic book, produced by Hew Kuan Yau, a former DAP member, drew criticism after news that 2,500 copies in Bahasa Malaysia were distributed to school libraries as reference material.
Among those critical of Hew, who is also known as ‘Superman’, were PPBM Youth leader Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman and Education Minister Maszlee Malik, who barred the book from being distributed to schools.
Hew was also accused of racism for calling those who sympathised with the plight of the Uighur minority in China “extremists”.
Hew has stressed that the comic book is not a DAP publication and he will take the full responsibility for any issues regarding it.
In a statement today, the Home Ministry said the ban also applies to the Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese versions of the comic.
Meanwhile, Hew has been asked to produce various documents, such as his academic certificates, during a second round of questioning at Bukit Aman.
He arrived at Bukit Aman police headquarters at 1.55pm and was questioned for three hours. He was earlier called to give his statement last Friday.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference after giving his statement, Hew said the police had also asked for e-mail and other correspondence with the cartoonist, called Tomato, and also the printing company.
This evening, Hew said his Facebook account has been deactivated temporarily until further notice, after advice from his Facebook administrators.
“There were many people who are against my Facebook posts and making harsh comments. My supporters are rebutting them in a harsh manner. I don’t want my Facebook to become a place for them to clash.”
When asked if there was an insider within the education ministry who had permitted the distribution of his comic book in secondary and vernacular schools, he said: “Let the police investigate.”
Hew was accompanied by his lawyer, Rajsurian Pillai, who said three other witnesses were also summoned to assist in investigations – the cartoonist, the manager of the Asia Comic Cultural Museum, Raymond Koh, and also the printer, only identified as Mr Fong.
Rajsurian said, the investigating officer, identified only as Inspector Shahril, had also asked about the roles and backgrounds of the other witnesses in the production of the comic book.
“No arrests have been made so far. The police were very polite. We told them we will be giving the documents. So far, we do not know if there will be anything else (any other questioning) after this.”
He said police did not inform them who the complainant was, except that it was an individual from Kedah.
Previously, Hew had said his comic book had become an issue in view of the upcoming Tanjung Piai by-election, alleging that the government wanted to win the support of the Malay voters.
Today, the director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Bukit Aman, Huzir Mohamed, said more individuals were expected to be called in for questioning.
Huzir said police were also working with historians to check the accuracy of historical facts in the book.
All three versions of the work – in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and English – have been seized.