G25’s book banned by Govt but group will appeal

PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry has banned a book on Islam and the Federal Constitution published by the pro-moderation G25 group. However, the group of eminent Malays said they would appeal the ban.

A Federal Government gazette published yesterday announced that Breaking The Silence: Voices of Moderation: Islam in a Constitutional Democracy was prohibited.

The order, which listed the G25 as the author, said the book was banned as it was likely to be prejudicial to public order, public opinion and public interest.

The order was signed by the Home Minister on June 14.

Responding to the ban, G25 member Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin said the group was shocked by the prohibition.

“How can a book with articles written by respected academicians, professors of Islamic studies and social activists be considered prejudicial to public order?

“We are still discussing this among the members of our group but we will appeal and ask the Home Ministry to point out to us what are the offending passages prejudicial to public order,” said Noor Farida.

She said the book, which was launched at a G25 conference on December 2015, comprised articles written by experienced experts who have published articles on the subject before in various publications.

“None of the articles written by them have been banned as far as I am aware. I have not heard of the book causing any sort of public disorder.

“It just doesn’t make sense to ban the book and I don’t know what the real reason is,” said Noor Farida.