logo
Home Ministry bans two books — ‘Chase Me' and ‘Ammar Zahrain' — for threatening public morality

Home Ministry bans two books — ‘Chase Me' and ‘Ammar Zahrain' — for threatening public morality

Malay Mail2 days ago
PUTRAJAYA, July 29 — The Home Ministry has issued a prohibition order against two publications deemed potentially harmful to public morality, effective July 1 and 3, 2025, through the Federal Government Gazette.
In a statement today, the ministry said the ban was issued under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 [Act 301], as a preventive measure to control the distribution of inappropriate content that poses a threat to society.
The banned books are Chase Me by Tessa Bailey, gazetted under the Printing Presses and Publications (Control of Undesirable Publications) Order (No. 13) 2025, and Ammar Zahrain: The Obsessive Husband by Nssignature, gazetted under Order (No. 14) 2025, which takes effect on July 3, 2025.
"The prohibition order serves as a mechanism of control and prevention before any threat or harm materialises.
"At the same time, it ensures public protection and raises awareness about publications deemed undesirable and unsuitable for general readership," the statement read.
The Home Ministry said that under subsection 7(1) of Act 301, the printing, importation, production, reproduction, publication, sale, issue, circulation, distribution, or possession of all banned publications is strictly prohibited in Malaysia.
'All parties are reminded that compliance with the Prohibition Order is mandatory, as any offence related to prohibited publications may result in legal action,' the ministry said.
Further information on publications banned under Act 301 can be accessed via the official Home Ministry website at www.moha.gov.my or through the Federal Legislation Portal. — Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cambodia seeks Malaysian military help to secure release of 20 soldiers held by Thailand
Cambodia seeks Malaysian military help to secure release of 20 soldiers held by Thailand

Malay Mail

time21 minutes ago

  • Malay Mail

Cambodia seeks Malaysian military help to secure release of 20 soldiers held by Thailand

PHNOM PENH, July 31 — Cambodia is seeking the assistance of the Malaysian armed forces, serving as the ceasefire coordinator and observer, to release 20 of their soldiers held by the Thai military. The state media Agence Kampuchea Presse reported today, quoting Prime Minister Hun Manet, that Cambodian military officials have been engaging with the Thai army for the release of the captured soldiers. Besides, the government has also sought the help of the Malaysian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, who is heading the monitoring team. 'I sincerely hope that the Thai Army will return all our soldiers currently in their custody to Cambodia as soon as possible,' said Manet, according to the state media. It also mentioned that the Cambodian Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Vong Pisen, has formally requested assistance from the Malaysian side. The Ministry of National Defence spokesperson, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, told the media today that the Thai military has returned the dead body of one Cambodian soldier, while 20 soldiers are still under Thai custody. 'Of the 21 Cambodian troops currently under Thai control, we have thus far received one body. We are now working to ensure the other 20 are safely returned,' said Maly. The two neighbouring countries had been in conflict over territories along their 817-kilometre shared border in northern Cambodia. The dispute flared up on the morning of July 24 when troops from both sides exchanged fire. The armed confrontation between Cambodia and Thailand came to an end at midnight on July 28, following an agreement reached during a special meeting organised by Malaysia in Putrajaya. The turmoil has displaced more than 165,000 Cambodians in the northern region. — Bernama

Of flying passports and counter-settings — Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid
Of flying passports and counter-settings — Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid

Malay Mail

time2 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Of flying passports and counter-settings — Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid

JULY 31 — The integrity of a nation's border is fundamental to its sovereignty, security, and reputation. In Malaysia, however, recent revelations have highlighted troubling systemic vulnerabilities within immigration and border enforcement practices particularly through covert and corrupt mechanisms known as 'passport terbang' and 'counter-setting.' These practices not only compromise lawful migration processes but also facilitate serious transnational crimes, including human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants. 'Flying passport' (or 'pasport terbang' in Malay) refers to the unauthorised practice of submitting a passport to immigration authorities for renewal, visa endorsement, or extension without the physical presence of the passport holder. This contravenes official procedures which mandate in-person attendance for identity verification, often through biometric means. In many of these cases, passports are collected and transported by intermediaries on behalf of the holder in exchange for illicit fees. Counter-setting, on the other hand, involves immigration officers at entry or exit points such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport intentionally manning specific counters to facilitate the unlawful passage of foreign nationals without proper documentation or scrutiny. These activities are typically arranged through clandestine networks and are executed in exchange for bribes. Though seemingly procedural deviations, both practices signify entrenched corruption within parts of the immigration system, threatening not only Malaysia's border control efficacy but also the country's international standing in law enforcement, anti-trafficking efforts, and governance. A critical enabler of these corrupt practices is the role played by a wide range of intermediaries including employment agents, taxi drivers, freelance 'runners,' and even certain members of airport staff. In trafficking-related cases, passports belonging to victims are often seized by traffickers and handed to these intermediaries, who in turn bribe immigration personnel to process renewals or extensions without the victim's awareness or consent. This shadow network enables the formal legalisation of an illegal or exploitative presence, allowing trafficked persons to remain in the country with official documentation while being subjected to labour or sexual exploitation. Victims are thus rendered invisible to protective institutions, as their legal status on paper conceals the coercion and abuse they endure in practice. These practices raise pressing legal and policy concerns because they violate several laws such as Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which criminalises harbouring or employing undocumented migrants. It also contravene the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, particularly where visa fraud is used to facilitate continued exploitation. In addition, these practices undermine the standard operating procedures of the Immigration Department which mandate physical presence and biometric identity confirmation, and risk compromising Malaysia's compliance with international legal instruments, including the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the UN Trafficking Protocol. Moreover, these practices significantly erode public confidence in enforcement agencies, perpetuate a culture of impunity, and hinder the nation's efforts to combat organised crime and protect vulnerable populations. To address these challenges, a multipronged strategy is required which targets both systemic weaknesses and individual accountability such as mandating biometric and in-person verification for all immigration procedures. First, strict enforcement of in-person biometric verification for all passport, visa, and permit applications. Digital systems should automatically flag and suspend applications submitted without such verification. Second, implement real-time surveillance and tamper-proof digital logs. In this instance, it would be useful to install CCTV with live monitoring at immigration counters and visa-processing units. All entry and visa transactions should be recorded in tamper-proof systems accessible only to authorised personnel, with audit trails built in. Third, identify, blacklist, and prosecute facilitators and middlemen involved in these activities. In this instance, it is recommended to maintain a registry of blacklisted intermediaries suspected or convicted of engaging in corrupt immigration practices. Fourth, enforcement action should extend to all parties involved including agents, syndicates, and complicit civilians. Fifth, enforcement of a system of regular staff rotations across immigration offices and entry points to disrupt entrenched corrupt networks and prevent collusion between officers and external actors. Sixth, strengthen awareness among foreign nationals who are residing or working in Malaysia. They should be educated on lawful immigration procedures, the risks of using unauthorised intermediaries, and the legal consequences of engaging in document fraud. Multilingual outreach materials should also be made readily available. Flying passport and counter-setting are not mere administrative lapses but are manifestations of systemic corruption that threaten the rule of law, embolden transnational crime, and endanger human security. Malaysia's commitment to border integrity must be matched by the political will to root out these practices and strengthen the accountability of its immigration enforcement framework. Just as immigration officers are duty-bound to uphold the law, foreign nationals must also respect and comply with Malaysia's immigration regulations. Any attempt to bypass due process whether through bribery, fraud, or intermediary collusion undermines the legitimacy of the nation's legal system and puts both individuals and the broader public at risk. Malaysia stands at a critical juncture: ensuring that its borders are not only efficient and accessible but also just, secure, and corruption-free. * Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid is a Criminologist and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. She can be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

King and Queen honour fallen heroes at 2025 Warriors' Day parade, joined by Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah
King and Queen honour fallen heroes at 2025 Warriors' Day parade, joined by Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah

Malay Mail

time2 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

King and Queen honour fallen heroes at 2025 Warriors' Day parade, joined by Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah

PUTRAJAYA, July 31 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, King and Queen of Malaysia, today attended a parade held in conjunction with the 2025 Warriors' Day celebration at Dataran Pahlawan Negara here. The celebration, coordinated by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), carried the concept of a static parade featuring detachments from the PDRM, Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Veterans Association of Malaysian Armed Forces (PVATM) and the Ex-Policemen Association of Malaysia (PBPM). The ceremony began with the playing of the national anthem, Negaraku, accompanied by the firing of a 21-gun salute by Major Hafizan Mat Ghani of the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial). His Majesty then inspected the main guard of honour. A total of 18 officers and 685 personnel from the PDRM and MAF participated in the parade, led by Superintendent Mohamad Ridzuan Roslan of the PDRM. Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar were also in attendance. The ceremony proceeded with the sounding of the 'Last Post', as the Jalur Gemilang was lowered. This was followed by the recital of the poem 'Darah Yang Terpercik di Baju' by Detective Sergeant Ardiansyah Wayang of the PDRM and Staff Sergeant Siti Nur Aini Jasni of the MAF. The poem recounts the tragic ambush by communist terrorists on an MAF convoy transporting patients from Baling, Kedah, to Pengkalan Hulu, Perak, on July 20, 1979. The incident claimed the lives of three MAF personnel, namely Corporal Ramli Abdul Rashid, Trooper Azmi Rahman, and Trooper Abu Hassan Syeikh Daud. The ceremony continued with a special pantomime performance, 'Zabri, Pejuang Sang Saka Biru', by the PDRM and directed by GOF Central Brigade commander SAC Hakemal Hawari, depicting the heroic journey of VAT69 Commando ASP Mohd Zabri Abdul Hamid. The story of Mohd Zabri's struggle, famously known as the Legend of Kerambit Kembar, was brought to life through a 15-minute performance involving 142 PDRM officers and personnel, followed by the presentation of an AI-generated video, a creative production by the PDRM team based on real-life events. The pantomime narrated the story of the late Mohd Zabri, who was killed in a deadly ambush by communist terrorists in 1975. He was fatally injured after stepping on a booby trap while on a mission to intercept terrorists attempting to escape across the border. The booby trap severely injured his right ankle, leading to heavy blood loss. In his final moments, Mohd Zabri managed to deliver a message to his comrades — to continue the struggle, to track down and eliminate the enemies of the nation, even in his absence. The ceremony proceeded with the sounding of the Paluan Fajar, during which the Jalur Gemilang was hoisted, symbolising renewed spirit and strength for the nation's heroes to continue defending the country's sovereignty and peace. Warriors' Day is commemorated on July 31 each year to honour the struggles and sacrifices of the nation's security forces in safeguarding the country's sovereignty and peace. — Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store