KDN issues prohibition order on Malay novel 'Perempuan Nan Bercinta'

The Home Ministry (KDN) has issued a prohibition order on the Malay novel titled 'Perempuan Nan Bercinta' authored by Faisal Tehrani for allegedly containing elements detrimental to public order.

In a statement here today, KDN said the ban, which took effect on April 9, was in accordance with Section 7(1) of the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984 (Act 301).

"Among the reasons for the issuance of the prohibition order are because the book contains elements that question and ridicule hadis concerning discrimination of women as stated by Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah; excessive devotion to Ahlul Bayt while denying Sunnah Wal Jamaah as the accepted mazhab (school of law); and indirect invitation to protest against Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah on grounds of freedom of mazhab," the statement said.

The decision was made to stop an attempt to spread Syiah propaganda through creative writings, which probably aimed reaching out to academicians and teenagers.

The novel was published by Institusi Terjemahan dan Buku Malaysia Bhd and printed by Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Bhd.