POLICE have raided a publisher in Petaling Jaya over a book that has allegedly insulted the national coat of arms, authorities said.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department director Huzir Mohamed said the 3pm raid found 313 copies of the book stored at the publisher’s premises.

Although police did not name the publisher, they revealed yesterday the book in question was a collection of political essays titled Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope In New Malaysia.

Police today said it was studying the book’s contents and had identified the cover artist.

“After looking into the book we will decide to call these people in for questioning or arrest them,” Huzir told reporters today.

Authorities have received 32 reports on the book and are investigating the complaints under Section 5 of the Names and Logos (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 2016 and Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

Investigations are also being done under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 8(1) of the Printing and Presses Act 1984.

Critics of the book, such as Umno Youth, claimed the cover insulted the Jata Negara by featuring a naked child flanked by two tigers with humanoid faces stepping on a crocodile.

The book, edited by Kean Wong, was published earlier this year and has been on sale for nearly six months.

According to Gerakbudaya’s online store, the 212-page book is a collection of essays by prominent thinkers and journalists on Malaysia’s political landscape after the historic 14th general election. – June 30, 2020.