IN new Malaysia, books should not be banned except for a certain few that insult religion, said former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The incoming PKR president said books like Satanic Verses by British author Salman Rushdie should be banned as it makes a mockery out of Islam.

“My view is that I am not keen towards book banning, with the exception of (certain titles) including the Satanic Verses.

“(Books that) mocks, condemns religion, the Prophet, Islam… those we have to be cautious against,” Anwar said in a press conference after chairing a meeting with laureates in Petaling Jaya.

The former deputy prime minister said, however, books that are not in-line with everyday norms, should not be banned and be encouraged for their creative input.

“If it’s only a matter of differences in opinions, then we should allow for more creativity and the people can think for themselves,” Anwar said.

Separately, Anwar also stressed Bahasa Malaysia as the official language of the state will always be upheld and not be forsaken.

The previous Barisan Nasional government had banned books and comics from authors like Faisal Tehrani, Irshad Manji and cartoonist Zulkiflee SM Anwar Ulhaque, better known as Zunar.

The government just a week ago removed a ban from Zunar’s book Sapuman: Man of Steal, which poked fun of former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor. – August 17, 2018.