The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that "The Goal of The Wise: The Gospel of The Riser of The Family of Mohammed" and "Suka Duka Perjalanan Dhul-Qarnain/ Cyrus The Great dan Iskandar Agung" have been listed as banned books.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the ministry cited threats to public tranquility as the reason for banning these two publications under the Printing and Printing Presses Act 1984, on March 10.
The statement mentions that the author of "The Goal of The Wise: The Gospel of The Riser of The Family of Mohammed" is Abdul Rahman.
This action also complies with Provisional Decree 7(1), which prohibits printing, importing, reproducing, publishing, selling, producing, circulating, distributing, or possessing publications that may harm public order or interest in Malaysia.
The statement said that this move is to prevent the spread of ideologies that affect social harmony and safety.
The statement also clarifies that the ban aims to implement control and prevention before any threat or harm occurs, and that the public understands these publications are unsuitable for wider readership.
The statement also reminds the public that under Article 8(2) of the said act, anyone printing, importing, producing, reproducing, publishing, selling, issuing, circulating, selling, distributing, or engaging in any activity related to these prohibited publications is committing a crime.
"If convicted, one can be sentenced to a maximum of 3 years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 20,000 ringgit, or both."