PUTRAJAYA, Aug 22 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has today defended the raid of a local bookstore and seizure of two books from the premise, saying authorities had acted due to public complaints.

He also said that the two books were seized "for research purposes”, and may be returned if they do not contravene any laws — despite not being on the banned books list.

"We acted based on the public's complaints. Only two books were seized but it was reported as if the whole bookstore was raided.

"It was seized so that we can do research on the books and if our report says it has nothing. We will give them back,” he told reporters after his ministry's monthly assembly here.

Last week, ministry officials reportedly raided Toko Buku Rakyat, a bookstore owned by local author and educator Benz Ali.

It was reported that the officials raided the store at Wisma Central in Kuala Lumpur and confiscated two books: Marx Sang Pendidik Revolusioner, a Malay translation of Karl Marx: The Revolutionary as Educator by Robin Smalls, and Benz's own book Koleksi Puisi Masturbasi.

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