Store drops books over author's call to kill 'Malay traitors'

A bookstore has dropped two books by author Helmi Effendy over his social media comments on killing Malay "traitors."

"Effective immediately, we will not be selling any books by Helmi Effendy at Kedai Fixi or on fixi.com.my. 

"We support freedom of speech, but not threats or 'prayers' for people to be killed," Buku Fixi said in a statement today.

Helmi is the founder of right-wing publication The Patriots.

Buku Fixi said that although Helmi's books have been dropped, the same will not apply to other authors under The Patriots.

"We will continue to sell other books by The Patriots. This is because (for the moment), we do not wish to punish other authors of the company."

In a Facebook post dated July 12 last year, Helmi had lashed out at Education Maszlee Malik for considering granting recognition to the United Examination Certificate used in Chinese independent schools.

"Maybe in five or 10 years' time, I pray that a new Malay nationalist socialist party will be born.

"May the Night of Broken Glass become a reality in Malaysia. The Night of the Long Knives will kill Malay leaders and voters who have betrayed their religion and race," he said in his post.

The Night of Broken Glass or Kristallnacht refers to the 1938 pogrom against the Jewish community throughout Nazi Germany. 

The Night of the Long Knives or Röhm Purge, meanwhile, refers to the series of political murders in 1934 that solidified Adolf Hitler's hold on power.

Helmi's posting was highlighted by Twitter users, which eventually caught Buku Fixi's attention.

In a Facebook post today, the author lashed out at the move, claiming that his books have been "banned." There is no government ban on the books, however.

"I don't care. I don't give a f***. I take it that when Buku Fixi takes my books off their shelves, it means someone out there is very very afraid of me," he said.

In a separate posting, Helmi claimed that he managed to sell 20 copies within an hour after revealing that his books had been dropped.

-Mkini