Lift ban on book
I CONCUR completely with prominent law professor Azmi Sharom who questioned the government’s criteria in banning books on religion, saying authorities appears to focus on the Malay readers as though they cannot think for themselves.
I wish to refer to my letter to the editor Jan 1, 2016 in a local daily under the title “Is blocking digital work doable” when Jakim banned a book on the Bahai faith titled Baha’U’llah and the New Era, which was in circulation for 50 years along with other Islamic books by the previous government.
It has been more then two years since it’s banned, but there is no sign of lifting the ban of the book. The reason given was that the book contained elements that could confuse Muslims and damage their faith.
Though I am not an authority to comment nor suggest on the banning of the four of the books related to Islam I was taken back and surprised on the ban on Baha’U’allah and the New Era an introductory book about the Bahai faith originally written by J.E. Esslement published in 1923.
In this country, this book has been available for 50 years, widely used by Bahais to inform and educate the non-Muslim public about the Bahai faith.
Bahai are law-abiding citizens in any country they reside, which is one of the cardinal principles of the faith, to be loyal to the government of the land, at any particular material time.
I agree with what professor Azmi Sharom said: “The pattern indicates that the authorities are very concerned about the Malay mind rather than the Malaysian mind and this is very insulting because it’s as if we can’t read English books on certain topics which aren’t banned ... I believe the authorities want the Malay mind to be obedient and follow the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) brand of Shafie school of Sunni Islam.”
Under the New Malaysia such thinking should change. Regardless of race, religion or school of thoughts everyone must enjoy the freedom of expression and this includes freedom to get information.
I hope the authorities, especially Jakim, will review its decision made on the banning of the book and to lift the ban. This will remove the contradictions and ironies of the book, which is available online (digital) and hardcopy being banned, creating curiosity to access it online.
K.T. Maran Seremban