ACTIVISTS have called on the government to stop abusing the Printing Press and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) as a means to curb freedom of expression.

They cited the recent raid on a bookstore and the confiscation of Swatch watches as examples of such abuses.

They were particularly displeased with the raid on the bookstore owned by controversial writer Amir Hamzah Akal Ali, labelling it as a disturbing regression in the landscape of intellectual freedom.

The activists branded the action as barbaric and said it casts a chilling effect on the pursuit of knowledge while stifling the open exchange of ideas.

Article 19 Malaysian chapter senior officer Nalini Elumalai said the government was conveniently using the PPPA without any responsibility to respect the right to freedom of expression and information.

“The Act should and must be repealed. The raid on the bookstore undermines the very essence of a democratic society that thrives on diverse perspectives and uninhibited discourse as enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution,” Nalini told The Malaysian Insight.

“The seizure of books under the pretext of regulatory frameworks, illustrates the convoluted dance between suppression and bureaucratic control, casting a shadow on the aspirations of a free society,” Nalini, who represents the international organisation that propels the freedom of expression movement globally, added.

Last week, Home Ministry officials raided Toko Buku Rakyat bookstore in Kuala Lumpur owned by Amir, better known as Benz Ali 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.

Authorities took one copy of each book, citing the PPPA, adding that the books would be returned if they had not breached any laws.

Previously in May, ministry officials raided and seized Swatch’s collection of Pride watches in Malaysia. They raided 16 Swatch stores across the country under section 7 of the PPPA. 

According to Nalini, section 7 of the PPPA gives the ministry “absolute discretion” to ban any undesirable publication that is “in any manner prejudicial to or likely to be prejudicial to public order, morality, security, or likely to alarm public opinion”.

Nalini said her organisation had repeatedly warned the government that the PPPA was incompatible with international human rights law and standards relating to freedom of expression and non-discrimination.

“The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression has emphasised the state’s responsibility ‘to ensure an environment in which a diverse range of political opinions and ideas can be freely and openly expressed and debated’.

“In its 2018 Universal Periodic Review, the government of Malaysia committed to review the PPPA in line with its international human rights obligations following recommendations from the Czech Republic, Georgia, and Ireland,” she said. 

She also said in 2019, Muhyiddin Yassin, the then home minister under the Pakatan Harapan government, had said the government was studying six laws with the view to amend or repeal, including the PPPA.

“However there has been no progress since,” said Nalini.

“Article 19 strongly urges the government of Malaysia to remain committed to reviewing the PPPA in full consultation with the media, and civil society groups in Malaysia,” she added.

Jurassic-era enforcement style

Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s central committee member Choo Chon Kai mirrored Nalini’s sentiments, adding that certain individuals in power were still trapped in the cold war mentality.

Choo said if the bookstore raid was done because of Marx’s name, it showed the superficiality and shallowness of the authorities when dealing with knowledge.

“It is almost impossible for any person who wants to learn about sociology and understand our society to never read about the thoughts of Karl Marx, whether we agree or disagree with the views he put forward. 

“Blocking the distribution of books about Marx or any other books, whether promoting his revolutionary ideas or criticising his thoughts, is an action only taken by authoritarian and iron-fisted governments,” he said.

Choo also said the unity government that claimed to be inclusive under the Madani concept was now behaving like an Orwellian state.

“This is preposterous. On one hand we are lifting the idea of Madani and on the other hand we are oppressing those with different views.

“The ministry shouldn’t become the ‘The Ministry of Truth’, akin to George Orwell’s 1984 book. This intimidation has to stop at once,” he stressed.

Former Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph said the government must be able to handle dissent and differences in another manner.

He said sweeping measures should never be condoned. 

“This belongs to a jurassic-era enforcement style. You can’t stop information by confiscating books that can still be found on the internet. This type of enforcement just makes the government look foolish.

“This new government must ensure that little Napoleons are restrained to be in line with modern perspectives.

“We want a reading and critical society that can digest information and have the tools to evaluate its worth.

“I hope the government revives the space for open discussion and doesn’t play the old game of shutting down views and ideas,” he said. – August 28, 2023.