PSM has described the Home Ministry’s move to raid and seize books from the bookstore “Toko Buku Rakyat” as “intimidation against writers, publishers and owners” of independent bookstores in the country.
“It’s a regressive step and shows that the minds of some authorities in our country are still stuck in the Cold War era that has long passed.
“It is absurd for a government that promotes the idea of a ‘Madani Malaysia’ to confiscate books that restrict the development of a civilised society in a more rational and politically literate direction,” said PSM committee member Choo Chon Kai in a statement today.
The ministry had yesterday raided and seized two titles from ‘Toko Buku Rakyat’, a bookstore owned by independent writer Benz Ali, located in Wisma Central, Kuala Lumpur.
The two books seized are titled “Marx the Revolutionary Educator” (Marx Sang Pendidik Revolusioner) written by Robin Small and “Masturbation Poetry Collection” (Koleksi Puisi Masturbasi) written by Benz Ali himself.
Choo also asked why the government seemed to be afraid of the name “Marx”.
“If the book titled ‘Marx the Revolutionary Educator’ is confiscated because Marx’s name is on the title, then it shows the superficiality and shallowness of the authorities’ minds when dealing with knowledge that should stimulate thinking and build political literacy of the people.
“It’s almost impossible for any person who wishes to learn about sociology and understand our society to have never read about Karl Marx’s philosophy, whether they agree or not with his views.
“Blocking the distribution of books about Marx, whether the books promote his revolutionary ideas or criticise them, is an act that is only carried out by an authoritarian and iron-fisted government.”
Choo added that reading and understanding Marx’s views can help build a healthy civilised society.
He stressed that the Home Ministry should not continue down the path of becoming a “Ministry of Truth” as written in George Orwell’s classic “1984”, by using the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 to restrict the freedom of knowledge.
Freedom of expression undermined
Gerakbudaya founder Chong Ton Sin, popularly known as Pak Chong, also criticised the raid and seizure, stating the ministry has undermined the people's freedom of expression.
"If they (Home Ministry officers) came to take records of the books, then it's understandable. But why seize them?
"It is a different story if the books were banned but they aren't... The authorities are just doing this to intimidate the rakyat," he said in a video regarding the incident.
Chong also encouraged booksellers, publishers and avid readers to unite and submit a memorandum to the government, suggesting that the administration might not have been initially informed about the raid. - Mkini
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