The Internal Security Ministry torn off pages of an article from the Economist's 23 December 2006 issue entitled "Born of Fire", about Muslims in Afghanistan and Somalia believing in the existence of genies, or jinns. It also blackout a paragraph in the article "A child in Bethlehem", which reported that Muslim women visit an ancient shrine to the Virgin Mary to pray for fertility. The Economist is published by the Economist Newspaper Limited in Britain.

When contacted by CIJ, a spokesperson from the ministry said the practices in the article contravene Islamic teachings. "Muslims cannot believe in Jinns as this goes against Islam," he said.

The censorship of this publication deprives the public of information about the practices and cultures of people outside Malaysia. Rather than discouraging people from discovering about the traditions of others, Muslim or Christian, the Government should encourage the quest for knowledge, in a spirit of encouraging tolerance and understanding.

Moreover, censorship of publications that are openly available online can only help to deepen the digital divide. Urban-based individuals with Internet access readily available will be able to acquire information denied to subscribers or readers who do not have Internet access or the skills to navigate the Internet.

We urge the government to stop banning and censoring publications and to repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. The Government should also consider setting up a Select Committee on Communication Rights, to examine legislative change for a more open and transparent communication regime in Malaysia, conforming to international human rights standards.

Issued by

Sonia Randhawa
Executive Director

For more information please call Advocacy Officer Wai Fong at 03 4023 0772