“Who said we (Umno) do not respect the court decision? Respecting it doesn’t mean we agree with it,” Akmal said in a Facebook post yesterday.

“That’s why we are asking the government to file a judicial review against the decision, in line with the laws, as the matter is sensitive to the Malays.”

His remarks were in response to Kok, who called on him and Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi to respect the court’s decision and move from “outdated mindsets driven by division and fear”.

Puad had earlier pushed for Putrajaya to find a way to maintain the ban, claiming the comic book glorified the late Communist Party of Malaya leader, Chin Peng, and subtly spread communism.

In a jeer, Akmal also offered to explain the concern to Kok, even in Mandarin, if she did not understand.

“If you still do not understand what is meant, let me know, and I can draw it for you or translate it into Mandarin,” he said.

On Tuesday, the home ministry lifted the ban imposed on Hew’s comic book, titled “Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism”. It was initially banned in October 2019 for promoting communism and socialism.

On July 6, 2022, Hew, popularly known as Superman Hew, successfully appealed against the ban on his comic book. The then federal government attempted to reinstate the ban, but the Federal Court turned down its application for leave on Dec 8, 2022.