PUTRAJAYA, Dec 7 — The Home Ministry has banned the publishing and printing of seven religious books deemed to contain elements which could adversely affect public order and interest, effective November 3.
The Home Ministry’s Publication Control and al-Quran Text Division secretary, Hashimah Nik Jaafar in a statement said the contents of the publications could confuse Muslims in the country.
“They are in violation of the Shariah as prescribed in the al-Quran and al-Hadith,” she said.
The seven books written in Bahasa Melayu are Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan: Mengenal Diri, Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan: Mati Sebelum Mati, Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan: Cahaya Di Atas Cahaya, Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan: 7 Petala Langit dan 7 Petala Bumi, Warisan Ilmu Tok Kenali Kelantan: Mengenal Allah, Pusaka Ilmu Tok Kenali Mengenal Allah (Tok Kenali Kelantan) and Pusaka Ilmu Tok Kenali Mengenal Diri (Tok Kenali Kelantan) published by Tujuh Likur Enterprise.
Hashimah said the prohibition order was issued under Section 7 (1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
She said it was an offence under subsection 2 of Section 8 of the Act if any parties were found printing, importing, producing, reproducing, publishing, selling, circulating, offering for sale, distributing or owning these publications.
“The offence carries a jail term of up to three years and a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or both,” she said. — Bernama
