THE BOOK: The Home Minister will decide whether it can be circulated locally

PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry has completed 80 per cent of its review of the 368-page book Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times.

However, the ministry is in no hurry to complete the study as it has been given 60 days from Nov 19 to do a thorough study of its contents.

"The finding and feedback on the contents of the book will be forwarded to Home Minister (Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein) for his decision on whether to release it here," the ministry's deputy secretary-general (security), Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ab Aziz, told The Malay Mail yesterday.

"We are studying every page of the book. As the book is a matter of public interest, we are not only studying its contents but also the implications it will have on our nation," he added.

He said the book was on issues that took place during Tun Dr Mahathir's tenure as prime minister.

"Although some might consider these old issues that do not need to be covered up, we at the ministry feel that it is our responsibility to ensure the book will not in any way be a threat to our nation's peace," Fuad said.

"The matter is something that should not be taken lightly as claims and accusations are made about a former leader of the country."

He said any decision on the book would be based on the Printing Presses and Publications Act (1984), which allows the minister to refuse circulation, withhold delivery or return to the sender outside Malaysia any publication that is likely to be contrary or prejudicial to public or national interest.

Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times is written by Australian Barry Wain, a former editor of the Asian Wall Street Journal.

The 13-chapter book is divided in three parts, The Making of a Malay Champion; Prime Minister for Life, Almost; and Turmoil in Retirement.

Originally scheduled for release in Malaysia on Jan 5, two of the chapters in the book are titled An Early Introduction to Brutal Politics and A Bare-Knuckle Brawl of One Man's Legacy.

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