KUALA LUMPUR: Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said today that only he, in his ministry, has the authority to endorse or support the distribution of reading materials of any kind.
He also denied claims that his deputy, Teo Nie Ching, had endorsed the controversial comic book “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for Win Winism”.
Maszlee (Simpang Renggam-PH) was referring to a viral photo of Teo, in which she is seen receiving the book from its author, Hew Kuan Yau, also known as “Superman” Hew, saying that the image is not tantamount to the ministry’s endorsement or support of the comic book.
“My deputy, in her Facebook account, has explained how she received the comic book and had the picture taken.
“A similar incident also involved the Prime Minister when the comic book was given to him – so it is not an isolated case.
“I believe ministers and Members of Parliament are sometimes given books by authors and take pictures with them. But, it is not proof they are endorsing the books. She (Teo) never made a written endorsement (of the comic book). The decision (to endorse is mine),” he told the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time today.
Maszle also responded to an additional question by Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid (BN-Kuala Kangsar), who asked what action the ministry will take against those involved in the viral photo.
He replied that his ministry is collaborating with the Home Ministry to monitor the publisher of the comic book to prevent further distribution of the banned publication.
“The ministry will continue to work with the Home Ministry to monitor the issue through all mechanisms at state education departments, district education offices (PPD) and schools to ensure that the comic is not distributed in schools and does not negatively impact students and staff.
“We will also promote the implementation of the Manual Kesedaran Sivik dan Nilai Murni (Civic Awareness and Moral Values manual) in schools to improve moral values. We will also get schools to comply with the Guidelines for Selection and Assessment of Additional Reading Materials for the distribution of reading materials to school libraries,” he said.
Maszlee was also responding to Pas Member of Parliament for Kuala Krai, Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman, on the ministry’s actions to monitor the comic book’s distribution in schools.
On Oct 23, the Home Ministry gazetted a prohibition order on the “Belt and Road Initiative for Win Winism” comic book, which was banned in schools nationwide.
The order was gazetted according to Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (Act 301), which is applicable to the Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese versions of the comic book.