CONTROVERSIAL writer Amir Hamzah Akal, better known as Benz Ali, described the raid at his bookstore last Friday as an act of repression and authoritarian behaviour of the state.

He also questioned the unity government’s promised reforms, especially when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim constantly refers to himself as a reformist.

Benz, who is the author of several books including poetry, said Anwar who frequently named great philosophers in his speeches has failed to live up to the standards of a notable reformer.

“What sort of reform is taking place? For nine months, have we seen any reform taking place? Seizing books is not an act of reform, it is tyranny.

“I would not be surprised if this happened during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s time because we all know he is an authoritarian leader.

“It would also not be a surprise if Ismail Sabri Yaakob or Muhyiddin Yassin had done this, but on Anwar’s watch, books being confiscated without clear reasons, this is beyond shocking.

“Anwar’s speeches are about reforms, his rhetoric is about reform, even his cough is about reform. So what reforms are we talking about here?,” Benz told The Malaysian Insight.

On Friday, Home Ministry officials raided Toko Buku Rakyat, a bookstore owned by Benz Ali in Kuala Lumpur, and confiscated two books, a Malay translation of ‘Karl Marx: The Revolutionary as Educator’ by Robin Smalls, and Benz’s own book ‘Koleksi Puisi Masturbasi’. Both books are not on the government ban list.

Benz was reported as saying that the authorities took one copy of each book, citing the Printing Press and Publications Act 1984.

On social media platform Goodreads, ‘Karl Marx: The Revolutionary as Educator’ described the German-born philosopher as a radical educational thinker, examining his schooling and education.

Meanwhile, Benz’s book, which title translates as ‘Collection of Masturbatory Poems’, is described as a collection of poetry referring not to the sex act, but instead the practice of self-gratifying intellectual discourse.

The 35-year-old writer wonders if Anwar is now trying to show the public that he is anti-communist following the right wing narrative played up by Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“We know the narrative played by PN and we know it is dangerous. Now, the government is confiscating books, and this is also dangerous.

“If we want to counter the right wing narrative, is this how we react?

“Is Anwar trying to be as conservative as PN? Is he showing the Malays he is anti-communist by raiding a bookstore that sells progressive books?,” asked Benz.

Stop being bullies

Benz also urged the government to stop behaving like bullies.

He said during the raid, Home Ministry officials could not come up with a reasonable explanation as to why they needed to confiscate the two books.

“About 500 meters away from my bookstore is KLCC where you can find Kinokuniya, a well established bookstore selling all kinds of books. You can find communist books there too, but have you ever heard of Kinokuniya being raided?

“The action against me is an act of bullying. The officers who came to my store did not specify the reason why my books were confiscated. None of them are under the banned book list.

“If you want a book, you have to pay for it, unless there is a court order. If you take it away just like that, you are stealing the book. Pay for the books and I will give them to you.

“When they wanted to confiscate the books, I pushed the officers for answers but they failed to provide me with any,” said Benz.

Yesterday, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the two books would be returned if checks find that the books did not break existing laws.

He said the return of the books will depend on the content’s compliance with laws under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

“The act states that seizures can be carried out to conduct research, reviews, and analyses of materials to determine if they contradict aspects provided for under the law.

“If our findings show that the books’ contents do not affect public peace or cause any discomfort, then we will return it to him (Benz),” Saifuddin said. –  August 23, 2023.