The wolves are out baying for Tommy Thomas’ blood. Like a pack of wolves with a herd mentality, they condemn his book and lodge police reports all over the country. In Johor alone, 16 reports were made.
Since the first edition of the book was sold out online, and the second edition is not yet available in bookshops, we wonder on what basis the police reports are being made.
How many of them have really read the book?
It looks like a well-orchestrated and planned strategy to lodge reports, creating the impression that a vast number of Malaysians are outraged with Tommy Thomas’ book. Numbers are meant to create an impact of unrest and disquiet.
There is no doubt that this so-called reaction is instigated by those who don’t want the truth to be told and their less-than-exemplary conduct exposed. In attempting to ban the book, they hope to bury the truth.
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The police should not waste time investigating these reports based on conjecture and falsehood. The police should insist that those making police reports produce the book as evidence they have read the book and are not acting as lackeys for some discredited politicians who are implicated in Thomas’ book. The police should demand that the reports state which portion of the book is deemed to be provocative and offensive. Those making the reports shouldn’t simply come to the police station and report some nonsense.
Since the book is not yet available in bookshops, how could they have read the book? If they had ordered it online, let them show proof. If anyone brings a borrowed book as evidence of having read it, the police should rubber-stamp the book to prevent the same tome from being passed around to others making similar reports.
The ministers and politicians who are upset with the contents of the book, presumably because they have been implicated, should seriously consider hiring a Queen’s Counsel to rebut the book. This was what was done when the excellent book by Tun Salleh Abas and K Das – May Day For Justice – embarrassed those plotters who lied and cheated to destroy the career of an upright jurist.
If anyone feels they have been defamed in any manner, they should take up the matter in court to settle the issue. Let the court consider the merits of their objection. Their presumed grievance cannot be resolved by banning the book. There must be a basis for such drastic action. The forum to settle the issue is the court – not the police or the home minister.
Those who disagree should get into a discourse and debate the contents of the book to establish their point of view. This would be the democratic way to confront an issue that may be troubling them. This would be the sensible thing to do.
The truth hurts, so it has been aptly put. And going by those who are jumping up in anger, it would seem Thomas has stepped on too many toes! These are the people who don’t come out as angels in Thomas’ book and who are planting the idea of banning the book to suppress the truth.
If we look at the hundreds of unflattering comments flooding the internet, it is crystal clear that a vast majority of Malaysians empathise with Thomas and share his candid views of issues and personalities. Those of us who have been following Malaysian politics and the unfair policies of discrimination stand solidly with Thomas for his sincerity, courage and integrity in speaking the truth without fear or favour.
Let the following two quotations throw some light:
Any book worth banning is a book worth reading. – Isaac Asimov
Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime. – Potter Stewart
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
The role of the law in advanced societies includes the protection of commerce and industry, the safeguarding of property and rights of individuals and other vital functions. The mere response of this book will drive away investments from this country, and also destroy public trust and commitment to the state. I think these facts in themselves irrespective of the contents of the book are salient enough to warrant attention.
All the police reports and denials may have been the best publicity and promotion for the book.
If TT is getting royalties payments then he may be laughing all the way to bank.
TT could consider thanking all those who made police reports for banning or legal action against him as they made the book a best seller.
Bless all
But, Rama this is indeed an authoritarian regime.
All the police reports, all over the country, are as you asserted, Rama, to prepare the groundwork for banning Tommy Thomas book.
The first edition is sold out! It is in the Amazons best sellers list.
Very well expressed, my Dear Rama. My support is for Tommy Thomas. I am looking around to get a copy of this book.Too many a**** have been burnt, and will continue to burn. Let those who feel they have been wronged Sue Tommy Thomas, and let the truth be exposed. No one is brave enough to sue. You may ban the book here but not in Singapore or in other parts of the world.
Keep safe Rama.