Upset by open sale of Salman Rushdie books

Submitted by pekwan on Friday, July 17th, 2009

Ng Suzhen

Friday, July 17th, 2009 04:55:00

MUAD is a regular customer of MPH Bookstores and especially likes to take his oneyear- old daughter there for
its good selection of children's books.

"However, two days ago, I went to the MPH Bookstore in Seremban 2 and was shocked to find one of the top rows of the bookshelves filled with books written by Salman Rushdie, the author of Satanic Verses. His books
are banned in most Muslim countries."

MUAD is very outraged and disappointed that MPH in Malaysia is selling books by Salman Rushdie. He feels that Malaysia should not allow the sale of books by this author, which might directly or indirectly promote him, his work and his books or indirectly or directly give him even a cent or a penny.

"As a loyal customer of MPH who spends most of the time over RM100 a week at their store, please withdraw
and reject any books by this author and put a kind note to your customers why his books are rejected. Some people do not watch the news, hence do not know about this issue."

● A SPOKESMAN for MPH Bookstores Sdn Bhd thanked MUAD for his feedback.
"We would like to assure MUAD that it has never been our intention to offend our customers with the selection of books sold in our stores.
As you have rightly mentioned, books sold in our stores are strictly governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs before they are allowed into the market.
"Nevertheless, we have forwarded your feedback to the book distributor, Pansing Marketing Sdn Bhd, to seek further clarification on the said matter.
While waiting for our distributor to reply, we have taken the initiative to remove the said books fromthe shelves."
The spokesman thanked MUAD for his understanding and continued support.

Comments

Mindful of sensitivities? And what about my sensitivities and the senstivities of other people? Basically people only use this expression sensitivity to try to squash discussion, and usually because they cannot handle debate. It deeply offends me that any work of fiction should be banned, and while I understand why The Satanic Verses might have upset some oppeople (most usually those who have never bothered to pick up a copy for some strange reason) there is simply no logical reason for banning Rushdie's other books. But then this isn't about logic is it??? And at least I have the courage to put my name a link to my webpage while you sculk around anonymously.

Submitted by bibliobibuli on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009.

Submitted by bibliobibuli on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009.

Some people tend to forget that this author is banned in Malaysia because he has insulted Muslim religion in a big way. He should not be given a second chance just like that even though this is a free country. He has caused much damage by way of insulting Muslim religion and the world should know about this. Please be mindful about the sensitivtiy of this issue guys. I am very grateful to En Muad because he brought this up.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009.

Hmphh... And my collegue from Israel from a MNC company was deeply offended when he found The Protocols of Zion in a famous book store in KLCC, and one wonders if people of other ethnicity's right need not be bothered. Well I guess tolerance and understanding is a one way street here...

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009.

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009.

Ah yes. Over a quarter of a century on and we're still worried that Mr. Rushdie will corrupt our vulnerable psyches with his Satanic verses. By God, if I ever have children, let it be known, Sir, that none of them shall ever read a book again, lest they turn into vessels of a most unholy power. Because, you see, we individuals cannot think for ourselves, or discern what is moral and what is deviant, and are therefore liable to fall prey to the evils of literature. I'll get my future generation to watch Teletubbies instead.

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, July 20th, 2009.

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, July 20th, 2009.

barking at the wrong tree....this is what i can say. if it is sold to the public, then it would be the minister that he should be complaining and not the bookstore. as u said, "His books are banned in most Muslim countries", so that means that there are still some countries which is selling them. please take your narrow mind away and i am really really doubt that u will spend rm100/week at mph.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 19th, 2009.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 19th, 2009.

En. Muad, Please get your facts right. If you dont like, then dont look or buy it. Please consider that Malaysia is mutli-racial country and non-muslim people might love to read it. I hope, MPH dont go further which such senseless comment. Regards, Malaysian

Submitted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.

Submitted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.

The home ministry must answer this and make public before it flares like fire why they release this book> Hopefully Malay mail can further highlight this and seek the explanation from the ministry. TQ

Submitted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.

Submitted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.

This is a reflection of the narrow visioned mentality that En Muad had exposed of himself and others like himself.If he has his way he would probably barr all the books he does not like and retain only what he likes.The answer is simple ..dont look and DONT buy what you dont like ,as there would be ten others who like what you dont and will buy it.Malaysian menatlity becomes worse by the day.

Submitted by GS Dhaliwal on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.

Submitted by GS Dhaliwal on Saturday, July 18th, 2009.

Rushdie's other books are NOT banned in Malaysia (check with the Home Ministry if you need an answer) and there is no earthly reason for them to be. I wish that the spokesperson for the bookshop had made this clear and not given such a conciliatory answer. When books are the very thing you make your living from, you should support the authors you sell! En Muad, next time you go book shopping, you might like to check in your bigotry at the service counter before browsing, and also check your facts before writing to a newspaper.

Submitted by bibliobibuli on Friday, July 17th, 2009.

Submitted by bibliobibuli on Friday, July 17th, 2009.