PETALING JAYA: Several Umno leaders have spoken out in opposition against the Home Ministry's lifting of the ban on the comic book by former DAP member Hew Kuan Yau.
Speaking on the ban in a Facebook post, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh said that the decision to lift it should be reviewed in court.
"To prevent injustice, we urge the government to consider filing a petition to review this decision in line with the powers of the Federal Court under the Federal Court Rules 1995," he said.
Muhammad Akmal said that while Umno Youth respect's the Court of Appeal's 2022 decision, it does not mean that it agrees with the lifting of the ban on the comic book.
In July 2022, the Court of Appeal had ruled that the comic book titled “Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism” did not disturb public order and held that the ban should be lifted.
The government tried to reinstate the ban; however, on Dec 8 of same year, the Federal Court turned down the application for leave to reinstate the ban on the comics.
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Following this, the revocation of the ban was signed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and was placed in a Federal Government gazette dated Aug 12 of this year.
"The sensitivities of the majority Malay-Muslim population must be prioritised and safeguarded to ensure the stability of the country," added Muhammad Akmal on the Home Ministry decision.
Similarly, Umno supreme council member Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi also said that the government must find a way to continue the ban.
"The comic clearly glorifies Chin Peng, the former leader of the Malayan Communist Party. It subtly spreads communism. Many security personnel fell victim to his armed struggle," said Puad.
He added that the communist ideology rejects the Malay monarchy and threatens stability.
"The peace agreement does not mean the threat of anti-monarchy communist beliefs is over. Barisan must strongly oppose this," said Puad.
Meanwhile, PAS Youth deputy president Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin said that the comic book tries to promote communism and socialism by spreading confusing facts about it.
"It also has elements that try to evoke sympathy and support for the communist fight," he said.
"The comic also makes fun of Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Where are the Umno grassroots that love the party's struggle," added Muhammad Hanif.
