Azmi says it is an insult to the intelligence that Malay-language books dealing with controversial topics related to Islam and politics are more likely to get the chop from the authorities, than their English version.
“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,” the Universiti Malaya academic told FMT.
Azmi gave the example of Bangladeshi author Irshad Manji’s book “Allah, Liberty and Love”.
He said while the original English version of the book had been available on bookshelves since 2011, its Malay translation was banned just two weeks after publication in 2012.
In 2013, the Kuala Lumpur High Court lifted the ban following a legal challenge by publisher ZI Publications.
High Court judge Zaleha Yusof had then questioned why the authorities only decided to ban the book after it was translated into Malay.
Azmi said many English titles on religion were spared.
He said a book such as “The God Delusion” by atheism advocate Richard Dawkins may get into trouble if translated into Malay.
“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,” said Azmi.
He said under the “new Malaysia”, such thinking should change.
“Regardless of race or religion, everyone must enjoy the freedom of expression and this includes freedom to get information and freedom to express,” he added.
Award-winning novelist Faisal Tehrani, whose seven books have been banned by the home ministry, also said there was a trend of targetting Malay-language titles in the government’s book-banning practice.
“I’m against any banning of books. I’ve read The Satanic Verses and Lajja among others, and my faith hasn’t been compromised,” referring to two books that have been accused of blasphemy.
Faisal said while the government has promised to repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act, it is also important to lift the ban on thousands of books which had invoked the same law.
“It is up to readers to interpret a book, not the authorities,” he added.