DAP leaders tick off Umno duo seeking ban on book

 

(From left) Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok have urged Umno leaders Puad Zarkashi and Dr Akmal Saleh to respect the court’s decision on the comic book ban.

PETALING JAYA: 

Two DAP MPs have fired back at Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi and youth wing chief Dr Akmal Saleh for protesting Putrajaya’s decision to lift the ban on a comic book by ex-DAP member Hew Kuan Yau.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said there was no basis in Akmal’s call for the government to file a review of the Federal Court’s denial of leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the ban.

“Akmal’s call is without basis and clearly made in ignorance of the actual grounds of judgment of the Court of Appeal.

“While it is accepted that an application to review the said Federal Court decision may be made, there is no reason to do so as there are absolutely no grounds for such a review.

Both Akmal and Puad should appreciate the Court of Appeal’s grounds of judgment, which actually analysed the contents of the comic book and the affidavit of the home minister supporting the application to ban it,

 he said in a statement.

The former deputy law minister said the appellate court ruled there was 

nothing incendiary in the book that pits one race against another

 or stokes racial and religious tensions, contrary to the minister’s affidavit.

He said the Court of Appeal also found that the home minister failed to highlight specific contents in the comic book 

which would endanger public interest by inciting racial unrest, disharmony or riots

.

Ramkarpal added that calling for the home ministry to maintain the ban, in direct defiance of the courts, would leave the government in contempt of court.

“I do not see any other grounds which can be used by the government to issue another prohibitory order to ban the comic book again.

In light of the above, all parties should respect the Court of Appeal’s decision and refrain from issuing statements on an issue which has been comprehensively decided by the courts,

 said the Penang DAP committee member.

Meanwhile, DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok urged the Umno pair to put aside their past prejudices and focus on more important matters, such as Malaysia’s economic recovery.

“The court has released its full judgment, clearly stating that the book does not contain any seditious content.

“Although the home ministry disagreed with its contents, including Hew’s interpretation of history, world view and perspective on current issues, that is not enough to ban the book.

Puad and Akmal must respect the court’s decision and its independence … We must depart from old mindsets, which were once full of division and fear, and perceive history from a more open and rational perspective,

 the Seputeh MP said in a statement.

It was reported yesterday that the home ministry had lifted the ban imposed on Hew’s comic book, titled Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism. It was initially banned in October 2019 for promoting communism and socialism.

On July 6, 2022, Hew, popularly known as 

Superman Hew

, successfully appealed against the ban on his comic book. The then federal government attempted to reinstate the ban, but the Federal Court turned down its application for leave on Dec 8, 2022.

Akmal had urged Putrajaya to seek a review of the apex court’s decision, saying the sensitivities of the Malay-Muslim majority of Malaysia must be prioritised and preserved to ensure stability in this country.

Puad then urged Putrajaya to find some way to ensure the ban remained in place, claiming the comic book glorified the late Communist Party of Malaya leader, Chin Peng, and subtly spread communism. - FMT