Call to rescind ban on book

I BELIEVE most moderate Malaysians are depressed and dismayed and even shocked, that the home minister has thought it fit, to ban the G25 Book entitled Breaking the Silence: Voices of Moderation - Islam in a Constitutional Democracy.
This ban does not go well with our 60th Merdeka Anniversary celebrations next month.
The basis for the ban is that the book "is likely to be prejudicial to public order, public opinion and public interest".
The ministry should state clearly the evidence of any resulting public disorder and openly explain whose public opinion and public interest has been prejudiced or badly hurt by this book?
If it is the interests of the non-moderates and even some extremists, why then should our government take such extreme measures to ban an intellectual book like that from the well-respected G25 members who are my colleagues and who have admirably and loyally served our country so long and so well?
The authors, as well described by the G25 spokesperson, former ambassador Datuk Noor Faridah Ariffin, are some of our leading national intellectuals, such as Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, Dr Chandra Muzzaffar, Prof Azmi Sharom and Ratna Osman, the former executive director of Sisters in Islam.
Given this background, it is no wonder that Faridah is "flabbergasted" at the drastic action taken by the Home Ministry. Indeed most moderate Malaysians share her shock and are stunned by this unfortunate decision which raises bigger questions in the public mind, especially at this time before GE14.
These questions are:
» Is the government becoming more intolerant of moderate views?
» Are our fundamental freedoms of free speech and expression and indeed other basic freedoms, now under greater threat?
» If the ban is politically inspired and designed to please the non-moderates, then are we losing the battle against the extremists and parochialists and bigots?
» Are we using the concept of "state capture" to suppress contrary but constructive views and thus undermining sound public debate in a healthy democracy?
» Are we heading for a non-secular state and if so, then all the more that we the general public should be better informed.
Many other questions can be raised as this decision to ban the book can have far-reaching implications and cause deep doubts and concerns as to the future direction in our way forward to TN50 and beyond?
I therefore appeal to the home minister to review the ban and withdraw it – even if he has to insist that some passages in the banned book could be revised. This can be done with mutual agreement, in consultation with the authors.
For the sake of our national credibility and our nation's future and to be consistent with the prime minister's constant and fervent call for the promotion and practice of wasatiyah (moderation), please withdraw the ban.
I believe the larger public will appreciate the withdrawal.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam
Chairman
Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies