Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia (GBM) categorically urges the government to immediately rescind its recent order to ban Breaking the Silence: Voices of Moderation – Islam in a Constitutional Democracy on the grounds that the book is “likely to be prejudicial to public order, public opinion and public interest”.
GBM urges Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to immediately publish his book reviews to prove that he has read the book and demonstrate how this scholarly work can be “prejudicial to public order, public opinion and public interest”. A PhD holder himself, the minister must be able to make an academic argument before banning an academic work.
Breaking the Silence was written by a group of prominent public figures (which include former Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands Noor Faridah Ariffin and constitutional law professor Shad Saleem Faruqi among others). The book called for the checking of extremist religious trends in the country’s public discourse and is a timely reminder of the vision of moderation, which has guided our society since independence.
The ban makes hollow and hypocritical the recent statement by the Prime Minister, Najib Razak, that moderation is one of the core values of the nation. Such a move not only impinges on the constitutional rights of Malaysians to free speech but also portrays the government of the day as intolerant, anti-moderation and anti-intellectual.
We urge all Malaysians especially parliamentarians to demand the immediate abolition of Section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, which allows arbitrary and irresponsible banning of book by Home Ministry. In fact, the entire Act should be reviewed to ensure it facilitates and does not undermine the nation’s intellectual development.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
A democratic society should be able to accept different point of views and allow public discussion on important issues that afflict the nation. Breaking the Silence: Voices of Moderation – Islam in a Constitutional Democracy makes an important contribution to raising public consciousness and discussion on disturbing extremist trends in the public space that are threatening the wellbeing of the nation.
As the famous poet Heinrich Heine once said, “Where they burn books, they will, in the end, burn human being too.” The government’s action in banning the book amounts to a modern version of book-burning.
Endorsed by the following GBM member organisations:
All Women’s Action Society (Awam) 妇女行动协会
Anak Muda Sarawak (AMS) 砂拉越青年之子
Engage 愿景工程组织
Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) 回教复兴前线组织
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) 隆雪华堂
LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG) 林连玉基金
Merdeka University Berhad (MUB) 独立大学有限公司
Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF) 穆斯林人士专业论坛
National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT) 全国印裔权益行动组织
Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall (NSCAH) 森美兰中华大会堂
Partners in Community Organising (Pacos Trust) 沙巴社区伙伴信托组织
Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran) 国民醒觉运动
Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (Permas) 雪隆社区协会
Pusat Komas 社区传播中心
Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) 马来西亚之子
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) 人民之声
Tamil Foundation (TF) 淡米尔基金会
Tindak Malaysia (TM) 行动大马组织
United Chinese Alumni Associations of Malaysia (USCAAM) 马来西亚华校校友会联合会总会
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
