The Malaysian Insight

THERE was no intention to insult the national coat of arms, said the publisher of a book on Malaysian politics that is subject of police investigations.

Gerakbudaya founder Chong Ton Sin told The Malaysian Insight the cover of Rebirth: Reformasi, Resistance, And Hope in New Malaysia was taken from a painting used in one of the publisher’s past exhibitions.

Gerakbudaya will cooperate with the police who have so far not contacted him, Chong said.

“They came to the store yesterday afternoon and looked around. They asked for me. But I was out at the time,” said Chong, who is popularly known as Pak Chong.

“They didn’t stay. Maybe they will come back today,” Chong told The Malaysian Insight.

Gerakbudaya will continue to sell the book in its store in Petaling Jaya and online as long as there is no official ban.

According to Gerakbudaya’s online store, the 212-page book is a collection of essays by prominent thinkers and journalists on Malaysia’s political landscape after the historic 14th general election.

Federal police in Bukit Aman have said they are investigating the book for insulting the national coat of arms or jata negara.

Umno Youth wants the book banned, saying its cover insulted the jata negara.

Its chief, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said the cover image resembles the jata negara and features a naked child flanked by two tigers with humanoid faces stepping on a crocodile.

The book, edited by Kean Wong, was published earlier this year and has been on sale for nearly six months.

“Our shop will continue selling the book until it is officially banned. We had no intention of insulting the jata negara at all.

“We’ve used this painting before in a past exhibition and there was no trouble from the authorities.” – June 30, 2020.