Book retrieval was for research and review purposes - Saifuddin

PUTRAJAYA - Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has come forward to clarify and defend the actions of the ministry's enforcers, who were involved in the retrieval of a manuscript book from a shop in Kuala Lumpur last Friday.

Saifuddin stressed that the purpose behind retrieving the book was solely for research and review purposes, prompted by a complaint lodged by a member of the public.

"It is important to use accurate terminology in this context. To be clear, our intervention was aimed at retrieving two books, not targeting a single store," he said at a press conference after the Home Ministry monthly assembly here today.

He also clarified that the two books in question were not on the banned list, but that the ministry was still investigating whether they contained any content that could be considered seditious or harmful to public order.

"If the contents of the book do not conflict with the provisions of Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, we will return it to the owner of the shop," he said.

Saifuddin also responded to comments that the ministry was being discriminatory in its enforcement of the law, by only targeting books that had LGBTQ elements.

He said that the ministry was enforcing the law, and that it would not hesitate to take action against any book that was found to be in violation of the law.

"I have read people's comments, and some have said that we are being sensitive to color when we only confiscate watches that have LGBT written on them. But I want to make it clear that we are not being discriminatory. We are simply enforcing the law," he said.

Saifuddin said that the ministry would continue to take action against any book that was found to be in violation of the law, regardless of its content.

He also urged the public to report any suspicious books to the ministry.