The Centre for Independent Journalism is throwing its support behind a legal challenge to book banning by the Malaysian government. Back in June, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs signed an order banning two satirical books by cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque (AKA “Zunar”) under the Printing Presses and Publications Act which prohibits material that is “prejudicial to public order.” Zunar and the news portal Malaysiakini have both filed applications for a judicial review of the minister’s ruling.
The Centre for Independent Journalism believes that the ban is illegal under the Malaysian constitution.