Author gets leave to challenge book ban
Published: Jan 24, 2011 11:47 AM | Updated: Jan 24, 2011 11:49 PM
The author and publisher of ‘The March to Putrajaya - Malaysia’s New Era is at Hand’ obtained leave today for judicial review to challenge an order over the seizure of 33 copies of the book.
The author and publisher of ‘The March to Putrajaya - Malaysia’s New Era is at Hand’ obtained leave today for judicial review to challenge an order over the seizure of 33 copies of the book.
High Court judge Rohana Yusuf granted the leave application of Yong Thye Chong, who wrote under the name Kim Quek, and Oriengroup Sdn Bhd on the grounds that there was an arguable case.
She made the ruling in chambers after hearing submissions from senior federal counsel Noor Hisham Ismail for the home minister, and counsel K Shanmuga for Yong and Oriengroup.
Shanmuga told reporters that the court had fixed Feb 24 for mention of the substantive application for judicial review.
On Nov 3 last year, Yong, 72, and Oriengroup filed the judicial review application seeking to lift the book ban.
They also want a declaration that the seizure of 33 copies of the book was null and void and that the ban is ultra vires of Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
Prejudicial to public order
Yong and Oriengroup claimed that the order was in contravention of their right of freedom of speech, of equality and rights of liberty.
They named the home minister, inspector-general of police, assistant superintendent Zul Azhar Mokhtar, chief inspector Nahar Yamen, assistant superintendent Mohd Fahmi Daraman Shah and the government as respondents.
Yong and Oriengroup said that 33 copies of the book were seized on Aug 19 last year — 20 in Kuantan, four in Malacca, six in Cheras and three at Universiti Malaya.
They said the minister had banned the book on Sept 27 last year as being prejudicial to public order.
They claimed that they were not given the right to be heard before the minister banned the book.
- Bernama
High Court judge Rohana Yusuf granted the leave application of Yong Thye Chong, who wrote under the name Kim Quek, and Oriengroup Sdn Bhd on the grounds that there was an arguable case.
She made the ruling in chambers after hearing submissions from senior federal counsel Noor Hisham Ismail for the home minister, and counsel K Shanmuga for Yong and Oriengroup.Shanmuga told reporters that the court had fixed Feb 24 for mention of the substantive application for judicial review.
On Nov 3 last year, Yong, 72, and Oriengroup filed the judicial review application seeking to lift the book ban.
They also want a declaration that the seizure of 33 copies of the book was null and void and that the ban is ultra vires of Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
Prejudicial to public order
Yong and Oriengroup claimed that the order was in contravention of their right of freedom of speech, of equality and rights of liberty.
They named the home minister, inspector-general of police, assistant superintendent Zul Azhar Mokhtar, chief inspector Nahar Yamen, assistant superintendent Mohd Fahmi Daraman Shah and the government as respondents.
Yong and Oriengroup said that 33 copies of the book were seized on Aug 19 last year — 20 in Kuantan, four in Malacca, six in Cheras and three at Universiti Malaya.
They said the minister had banned the book on Sept 27 last year as being prejudicial to public order.
They claimed that they were not given the right to be heard before the minister banned the book.
- Bernama
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