GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today defended the man behind the controversial comic book on China, saying Hew Kuan Yau had good intentions which had been misunderstood.
He said Hew had merely wanted Malaysians to see China in a new light, free from the tint of communism.
“Hew’s intention was to give an alternative introduction to China and its economic development,” he said, adding that the reaction to the comic may have been fuelled by ulterior motives.
“Within a day, it was banned, and many had no chance to read it. I feel the authorities should look at the real purpose of why the comic book was published instead of outright banning it.”
Speaking in a press conference at Komtar here, he added that there had been talk of historians wanting to deliberate on the authenticity of the book.
Chow, who is DAP’s national vice-chairman, said the comic book had merely been a platform to showcase the development of socialism in China.
“Although it was once known as a communist country, today it has thousands of billionaires,” he added.
“Even the prime minister and his ministers have visited China a few times to talk about trade.”
He also said that Hew’s Asia Comic Cultural Museum which is housed in Komtar had not run afoul of any law. He said the state government had, in 2016, allowed the museum to open there to rejuvenate Komtar as an administrative, civic and shopping district.
“It is a tourism product that is unique in Malaysia and Asia, it is a comic museum that promotes creativity and animation.
“Various events were held to bring famous comic artists to give talks and host forums,” he said, adding that the state had agreed to help with the museum’s rental until December 2020 as part of the signed agreement.
Yesterday, officials from the home ministry seized 15 copies of the “Belt and Road Initiative for Win Winism” comic book from a district education office here.
According to the police report, the books which were in Mandarin were taken from the Northeast District Education Office at Northam Road.
The report said the officials would remove books from the Southwest District Education Office as well.
The officials also said they had taken 13 copies of the book from the Asia Comic Cultural Museum.
Northeast district police chief Che Zaimani Che Awang, who confirmed the report, said it had been made for investigation purposes.
He said the items were seized according to the ban issued under the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984. - FMT
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