KUALA LUMPUR: With the Home Ministry’s finding that the "Belt & Road Initiative For Win-Winism" comic book promoted elements of Communist ideology and sympathy for it, sterner action needs to be taken, says the Opposition.
In the wake of the comic book being banned, they also want authorities to investigate whether it has any links to the DAP.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said since the Home Ministry has found that the comic book promoted sympathy towards Communist struggles, stern action should be taken against those who are behind it.
“The Opposition bloc urges the government via the Home Ministry to probe all DAP leaders and others who were involved in the publication of the book as it is against the law, ” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby on Thursday (Oct 24).
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Ismail also wants authorities to investigate the DAP to determine if it has breached the Societies Act 1966, for promoting such ideologies or being involved in subversive activities.
“If they are found to be involved, the party should be banned, ” he said.
He alleged that there are several DAP leaders linked to the comic book, with one writing the foreword of the book and another taking a photograph of accepting the book.
“Their leaders have also been arrested for being linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militant group, ” said the Bera MP.
“This is a national security issue, ” he added.
Earlier Thursday, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the decision to ban the comic book was not due to sentiments or actions against any party.
The Home Minister said the ministry had studied it in detail and there was firm basis to ban the comic book.
The comic book was produced by Hew Kuan Yau, a former DAP member and the curator of Asian Comic Cultural Museum, in collaboration with local artist Chong Po Ling.
The book supports the Belt and Road Initiative (or the New Silk Road), talking about the vision behind the initiative and its benefits as narrated by two cat characters, Aisha and Komie.
It also ridicules former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the RM2.6bil found in his personal bank account.
It was reportedly distributed to the libraries of some schools without the knowledge of the authorities, sparking controversy for bringing politics into the classroom.
The foreword was written by Lim Guan Eng, who signed off as Finance Minister and DAP secretary-general.