PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry on Friday gazetted a prohibition order on 21 publications on the basis that their content may be detrimental to public order, morality and the public interest.
Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim said the order was issued through the Government Gazette P.U (A) 391- 401, dated Dec 19.
He said the prohibition was issued under Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (Act 301).
"This order outlines that the printing, import, production, reproduction, publication, sale, distribution, issuance, circulation, distribution or possession of the publications are strictly prohibited in Malaysia," he added.
The publications include Assalamualaikum: May Peace Be Upon You - Observations On the Islamisation Of Malaysia; Antithesis; Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan- Hampir Tidak Kesampaian Berakhir Tiada Kesudahan; Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan- Dimanakan Ku Cari Ganti; Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan- Jangan Sampai Terlihat Adanya Diri; Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan- Pencarian Ilmu Dipenghujung Rasa; and Agama Masa Depan: Perspektif Filsafat Perennial.
The publications were deemed to contain elements promoting liberalism and pluralism which are contrary to Islam's Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (Sunni) teachings.
Nine publications were also found to contain elements which could cause confusion among the public, and are categorised as deviating from the true teachings of Islam.
They are 100 Keajaiban Di Dunia; Amalan Mustajab dan Murah Rezeki; Senjata & Pendinding Mukmin; Asma Ul-Husna: Rahsia Dan Amalan 99 Nama Allah; Rahsia Dan Kelebihan Kayu Kokka: Jenis Kayu Bahtera Nabi Nuh AS – Tongkat Nabi Musa AS; It’s All About Muhammad: A Biography of the World's Most Notorious Prophet; 25 Kisah Mukjizat Rasulullah; and Meneladani Rasulullah & Cerita Lain.
Other publications which were found to contain sexually-explicit narration and images which are detrimental to morality are Qun Jiao Wang Shi; 36F Da Bo Mei De You Huo; Guo Nan Nv No.2; Loaded; and Intense Pleasure.
Perjalanan Yang Cemerlang 1930-1980, meanwhile, was found to have elements promoting communist provocation and propaganda.
In a statement, Alwi said that as a whole, the publications are deemed harmful and misleading to its readers, especially the younger generation and are therefore not suitable for general reading.
"Any individual who prints, imports, produces, reproduces, publishes, sells, circulates, offers to sell, distributes or has a banned publication is committing an offence under Section 8 (2) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
"If convicted, they can be jailed for not more than three years, or fined not more than RM20,000, or both," he added.
Alwi urged those who come across these publications in the market to lodge a complaint with the ministry’s Publications Control and Quranic Text Division at 03-88868047, or fax 03-88891682, or send an email via http://moha.spab.gov.my.