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Puad Zarkashi said Umno must ‘object forcefully’ to the home ministry’s decision to revoke the ban on Hew Kuan Yau’s comic book. (Facebook pic)
Is racist Umno above the Federal Court?
Update
DAP leaders tick off Umno duo seeking ban on book
-14 Aug 2024, 06:20 PM
Ramkarpal Singh says there is no basis for Putrajaya to seek a review of ruling lifting the ban as the Court of Appeal had found nothing in the book that pits one race against another.
(From left) Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok have urged Umno leaders Puad Zarkashi and Dr Akmal Saleh to respect the court’s decision on the comic book ban.
PETALING JAYA: Two DAP MPs have fired back at Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi and youth wing chief Dr Akmal Saleh for protesting Putrajaya’s decision to lift the ban on a comic book by ex-DAP member Hew Kuan Yau.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said there was no basis in Akmal’s call for the government to file a review of the Federal Court’s denial of leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the ban.
“Akmal’s call is without basis and clearly made in ignorance of the actual grounds of judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“While it is accepted that an application to review the said Federal Court decision may be made, there is no reason to do so as there are absolutely no grounds for such a review.
Both Akmal and Puad should appreciate the Court of Appeal’s grounds of judgment, which actually analysed the contents of the comic book and the affidavit of the home minister supporting the application to ban it, he said in a statement.
The former deputy law minister said the appellate court ruled there was nothing incendiary in the book that pits one race against another or stokes racial and religious tensions, contrary to the minister’s affidavit.
He said the Court of Appeal also found that the home minister failed to highlight specific contents in the comic book which would endanger public interest by inciting racial unrest, disharmony or riots.
Ramkarpal added that calling for the home ministry to maintain the ban, in direct defiance of the courts, would leave the government in contempt of court.
“I do not see any other grounds which can be used by the government to issue another prohibitory order to ban the comic book again.
In light of the above, all parties should respect the Court of Appeal’s decision and refrain from issuing statements on an issue which has been comprehensively decided by the courts, said the Penang DAP committee member.
Meanwhile, DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok urged the Umno pair to put aside their past prejudices and focus on more important matters, such as Malaysia’s economic recovery.
“The court has released its full judgment, clearly stating that the book does not contain any seditious content.
“Although the home ministry disagreed with its contents, including Hew’s interpretation of history, world view and perspective on current issues, that is not enough to ban the book.
Puad and Akmal must respect the court’s decision and its independence … We must depart from old mindsets, which were once full of division and fear, and perceive history from a more open and rational perspective,
the Seputeh MP said in a statement.
It was reported yesterday that the home ministry had lifted the ban imposed on Hew’s comic book, titled Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism. It was initially banned in October 2019 for promoting communism and socialism.
On July 6, 2022, Hew, popularly known as Superman Hew, successfully appealed against the ban on his comic book. The then federal government attempted to reinstate the ban, but the Federal Court turned down its application for leave on Dec 8, 2022.
Akmal had urged Putrajaya to seek a review of the apex court’s decision, saying the sensitivities of the Malay-Muslim majority of Malaysia must be prioritised and preserved to ensure stability in this country.
Puad then urged Putrajaya to find some way to ensure the ban remained in place, claiming the comic book glorified the late Communist Party of Malaya leader, Chin Peng, and subtly spread communism.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14, 2024: The racist Umno is at it again.
It is again harping on unsubstantiated racial hype to try and “stir shit” to save the party.
On July 6, 2022, Hew Kuan Yau, popularly known as Superman Hew, successfully appealed against the ban on his comic book. The then federal government attempted to reinstate the ban, but the Federal Court turned down its application for leave on Dec 8, 2022.
And Putrajaya has respected the court decision and lifted the ban.
However, Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi wants the party to protest lifting of the ban - and the irony is that Umno is part of the Madani Unity Government (UG).
Umno should just quit the Government to uphold its principles and integrity instead of stabbing/protesting itself.
Such hypocrisy!
If the book is promoting communism, why not sever all bilateral ties with communist China? Ban trade with China!
Then, lets sit and wait to see the economic repercussions of Malaysia's RM3 trillion (national + domestic debts) debt!
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report on Puad calling for his party to protest the lifting of the ban Superman Hew’s comic book:
Puad wants Umno to protest lifting of book ban
-14 Aug 2024, 09:45 AM
The Umno Supreme Council member says Hew Kuan Yau’s book, ‘Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism’, threatens the nation’s stability.
Puad Zarkashi said Umno must ‘object forcefully’ to the home ministry’s decision to revoke the ban on Hew Kuan Yau’s comic book. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: An Umno Supreme Council member has urged the party to protest the home ministry’s decision to lift the ban on a comic book by a former DAP member Hew Kuan Yau.
Puad Zarkashi claimed that the public was disappointed by the ministry’s decision, adding that Putrajaya should find a way to ensure the ban remained in place.
It is compulsory for Umno to object forcefully, he said in a Facebook post, claiming the comic book, titled Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism had put the late Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leader Chin Peng on a pedestal.
It’s a subtle way to spread communism and this threatens our stability, he said.
It was reported yesterday that the home ministry had lifted the ban imposed on Hew’s comic book.
According to a federal government gazette dated Aug 12, the revocation was signed by home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Aug 6. The revocation applies to the comic’s publication in three languages: Malay, English and Mandarin.
Puad Zarkashi said Hew Kuan Yau’s book is a ‘subtle way to spread communism’. (Facebook pic)
The comic was initially banned by the home ministry in October 2019, citing concerns that its content promotes communism and socialism, and spreads misleading information about communism.
It was alleged to have painted a glowing picture of China and its Belt and Road initiative, while putting the Western world in a negative light.
On July 6, 2022, Hew, popularly known as Superman Hew, successfully appealed against the ban on his comic book. The then federal government attempted to reinstate the ban, but the Federal Court turned down its application for leave on Dec 8, 2022.
Last night, Umno Youth urged the government to seek a review of the apex court’s decision denying Putrajaya leave to appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling that overturned the ban on Hew’s comic book.
The wing’s chief, Dr Akmal Saleh said that the sensitivities of the Malay-Muslim majority of Malaysia must be prioritised and preserved to ensure stability in this country.
Focus on bigger issues than banning comic book, Zaid tells Umno Youth
-14 Aug 2024, 11:02 AM
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim says Umno Youth should start by calling for a ban on Muslim husbands divorcing their wives through video or WhatsApp.
Zaid Ibrahim said Umno Youth should focus its ‘sensitive antennae’ on truly abhorrent matters, instead of calling for a ban on a comic book which allegedly promotes communism.
PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim today criticised Umno Youth for its reaction to the government’s decision to lift the ban on a comic book by a former DAP member which allegedly promotes communism.
Zaid said if Umno Youth is serious about protecting the sensitivity of the majority, it should start with banning Muslim husbands from divorcing their wives by pronouncing their talaq (declaration of divorce) via video or WhatsApp.
In a post on X, he noted that a popular singer was recently divorced by her husband through a video recording the man made.
What will the rest of society think of us Muslim men who dare not divorce our wives to their faces in front of credible witnesses? he said.
“What will society think of our religion that permits such a cavalier manner of divorcing our wives, the mothers of our children?
“Umno Youth should focus their sensitive antennae on truly abhorrent matters. Comics are just for fun.
How men treat women is very important to the well-being of the country. Focus on this and march to the mufti’s office to ban the practice of divorcing wives in this way.
The home ministry yesterday lifted the ban on former DAP member Hew Kuan Yau’s comic book, titled Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism.
The revocation applies to its publication in three languages: Malay, English and Mandarin.
The comic was initially banned by the ministry in October 2019 after concerns that its content promotes communism and socialism, and spreads misinformation about communism.
It was alleged to have painted a glowing picture of China and its Belt and Road initiative, while putting the Western world in a negative light.
On July 6, 2022, Hew successfully appealed against the ban on his comic book. The then federal government attempted to reinstate the ban, but the Federal Court turned down its application for leave on Dec 8, 2022.
Last night, Umno Youth urged the government to seek a review of the apex court’s decision denying Putrajaya leave to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that overturned the ban on the book.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said the sensitivities of the Malay-Muslim majority of Malaysia must be prioritised and preserved to ensure stability in the country.
Today, Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi claimed that the public was disappointed by the ministry’s decision, adding that Putrajaya and Umno should find a way to ensure the ban remained in place.
He alleged that the book had put the late Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) leader Chin Peng on a pedestal and was a subtle way to spread communism, which he said threatens the country’s stability.
News
In rare move, Putrajaya lifts ban on book that glorifies China, mocks Najib
The home ministry once labelled the comic work as communist propaganda.
August 13, 2024 6:26 PM
Pages from the work 'Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism' mocking jailed former leader Najib Razak and his wife Rosman Mansor.
The government has lifted the ban on a DAP supporter's comic book that glorifies China and mocks Najib Razak - a rare move by the home ministry that is likely to upset large sections of Umno still loyal to the jailed former prime minister.
According to a federal government gazette signed by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail last week, an order issued in October 2019 to ban the book "Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism" by controversial DAP-linked spokesman Hew Kuan Yew, better known as "Superman Hew", has been revoked.
The book is published by the Asia Comic Cultural Museum and is available in Malay, English and Mandarin.
Despite change of governments, the home ministry rarely lifts bans on publications it deems harmful to public order and security, a frequent excuse it gives for banning books, films and other works of art.
Hew's work promotes China's controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a large-scale plan by Beijing to invest in infrastructure development worldwide.
Published to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, the book uses two cat characters to praise China's vision and glorify its history and civilisation.
The comic also takes aim at Najib in relation to the 1MDB scandal, portraying him as buying votes and exploiting China's investments in the country.
It also contained caricatures mocking Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, as well as criticising the goods and services tax (GST) introduced by the previous Barisan Nasional government.
Hew Kuan Yew.
Hew, a staunch DAP supporter, is controversial for his racially charged speeches.
In 2016, he was captured in a video calling on Sarawakians to "screw the Malays" during the state election at the time.
He resigned from DAP that same year but continued to campaign for the party.
After Pakatan Harapan came to power in 2018, Hew was appointed CEO of the Malaysia-China Business Council before becoming embroiled in the controversy surrounding his comic work.
Hew was in the spotlight again when a clip of his speech during the 2022 general election campaign went viral.
The clip showed him calling on the Chinese community to exploit the disunity within the Malay community by giving them a "knockout punch" at the general election, while telling the Chinese to embrace Malay disunity.
"Now let the Malays who want Malay supremacy, the head-wrapped Malays who want Islamic supremacy, meaning those PAS b******ds," Hew said in Cantonese, in a clip accompanied by Malay subtitles.
"When they unite, we Chinese cannot live. When they are divided, that's when we pound them to *****," he said.
Hew admitted to making the speech, but accused MCA of editing and subtitling the video "for Umno's use".
He was arrested a day before the current federal government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was formed.
Police had then said that Hew would be investigated under the Election Offences Act 1954 for remarks promoting illwill and hostility between people, as well as the Penal Code for threats to public peace, and the Communications and Multimedia Act.
He was subsequently released on bail, although no charges were brought against him.
In December last year, the High Court ordered Putrajaya to pay Hew RM51,400 in damages for the banning of his book.
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