The books are The Goal of The Wise: The Gospel of The Riser of The Family of Mohammed by Abdullah Hashem and Suka Duka Perjalanan Dhul-Qarnain/ Cyrus The Great dan Iskandar Agung, which has no identified author or publication date.

The ministry said the ban on the two books was gazetted on March 10 under Section 7(1) of the act which prohibits materials “likely to be detrimental to public order or public interest”.

“These prohibition measures under the act are preventive in nature, aimed at averting potential threats or harm before they occur.

“At the same time, they serve to inform and raise public awareness of materials deemed undesirable and inappropriate for general readership,” it said in a statement.

In 2023, the Negeri Sembilan Islamic religious department urged the public to surrender copies of Suka Duka Perjalanan Dhul-Qarnain as the book was believed to contain teachings that could mislead Muslims.

The religious department in Kelantan also confiscated copies of the book that same year, saying it contained deviant teachings.

Meanwhile, The Goal of the Wise is reported to “reveal the truth of so many religious misunderstandings and historical corruptions”.

It also explores the “hidden symbolism” of the Tree of Immortality, reveals a covert bloodline war mentioned in the Torah, and examines how the belief in one God has given rise to many different religions.