Police reports lodged over book cover illustration that resembles national coat of arms

JOHOR BARU: More than 50 people representing various political parties gathered at Seri Alam police headquarters to lodge police reports over a book cover illustration that allegedly insulted the Jata Negara (Malaysian coat of arms).

The group also demanded that those behind the book should be stripped of their nationality to serve as a lesson and a deterrent.

"This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. If we look back from 2018, there have been many similar incidents involving the national flag, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and other sensitive issues," said Pasir Gudang Umno Youth deputy chief Mohd Khairul Azlan Sulong.

Mohd Khairul Azlan Sulong.

The group, which also included representatives from the PAS, MCA and MIC youth wings, entered the police headquarters around 1.30pm and exited about 30 minutes later.

Khairul alleged that the act was a violation of Section 3(1)(a) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, which prohibits improper use of names or emblems like the Jata Negara.

He also urged the government to revoke the publication licence for the book.

Meanwhile, Seri Alam OCPD Supt Ismail Dollah confirmed that three police reports were made by the group over the matter.

On Sunday (June 28), Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dasuki urged the Home Ministry to take action against the author, publisher and editor of the book for insulting the Jata Negara.

In a Facebook post, Asyraf called for the book titled "Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope In New Malaysia" to be banned.

"Stern action should be taken if there was an intention to insult the nation's official symbol," he said.

The illustration on the book cover resembles the national coat of arms, and features a child flanked by two tigers with humanoid faces stepping on a crocodile.