tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post116235711588808301..comments2024-01-06T00:28:45.062+08:00Comments on Bibliobibuli: Midnight's Children Banned ... and a Hundred Othersbibliobibulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16456636355933524132noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162812983041067952006-11-06T19:36:00.000+08:002006-11-06T19:36:00.000+08:00Right, time for me to chip in my thoughts, didn't ...Right, time for me to chip in my thoughts, didn't know something this big had just occurred.<BR/><BR/>All I can say is...<BR/><BR/>Shit.<BR/><BR/>(Good thing I have Midnight's Children, traded my 'French Lieutenant's Woman' for that with Justin)Edmund Yeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686957805877313432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162797084224765232006-11-06T15:11:00.000+08:002006-11-06T15:11:00.000+08:00it's looney, isn't it *sigh*it's looney, isn't it *sigh*bibliobibulihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456636355933524132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162781389210631872006-11-06T10:49:00.000+08:002006-11-06T10:49:00.000+08:00Its ridiculous! I cannot see any reason nor unders...Its ridiculous! I cannot see any reason nor understand the criteria used to ban some of the children's books. For example I have the Disney’s Counting Adventures one. Its an excellent interactive book with lovely nursery rhymes music and teaches the child to count. I really cannot understand why anyone would want to ban a wonderful book like this one, the other children’s books or the breastfeeding book. What criteria do they use to ban the books? Hmm lets see, maybe the little mermaid looks too sexy or Mowgli the jungle boy is half naked (dressed only in his red underpants) or theres too many dalmations running around the book. (I wrote this comment in 5Xmom blog but had to repeat it here becos I'm so saddened that even books like these are being banned!)Mumsgatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08578910510946597934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162559939756606352006-11-03T21:18:00.000+08:002006-11-03T21:18:00.000+08:00#25 Practice of Business Statistics????I need to g...#25 Practice of Business Statistics????<BR/>I need to get this book! And read it from cover to cover!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162557871581595412006-11-03T20:44:00.000+08:002006-11-03T20:44:00.000+08:00i posted up raman's explantion here and there's mo...i posted up raman's explantion <A HREF="http://thebookaholic.blogspot.com/2006/10/bane-of-banning.html" REL="nofollow">here</A> and there's more on his website. also in my archived posts on censorship. in short:<BR/><BR/><I>... one there is the official ban with the papers signed off by the Home Minister or his Deputy, then there is the other 'ban', arbitrary and unpredictable. It is almost as if there are two authorities running in parallel. The first one is quite clear-cut (even if you don't agree with it). The second is pure Kafka. Case in point: none of the books that have been proscribed by the KDN this year (according to the distributors) have been gazetted.</I><BR/><BR/>no real explanation has ever been given for the banning of the books on religion for e.g. tho' the DAP has tried.bibliobibulihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456636355933524132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162551578048787702006-11-03T18:59:00.000+08:002006-11-03T18:59:00.000+08:00i was thinking the same too. =(wat's the differenc...i was thinking the same too. =(<BR/>wat's the difference between a restricted book and a gazetted book?zona mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01716528520955614784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162551204412647892006-11-03T18:53:00.000+08:002006-11-03T18:53:00.000+08:00yes midnight lily, the law hasn't been changed but...yes midnight lily, the law hasn't been changed but as far as i know no-one has yet been prosecuted. it refers btw only to the gazetted books not the restricted ones.<BR/><BR/>but what happens when you've bought a book legally and then it makes the list???bibliobibulihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456636355933524132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162543014658163522006-11-03T16:36:00.000+08:002006-11-03T16:36:00.000+08:00I found this... http://www.domini.org/openbook/mal...I found this... http://www.domini.org/openbook/malay20030414.htm<BR/><I>The statement issued by the KDN stated that the "printing, import, production, reproduction, sale, circulation, distribution and possession of books listed under the schedule are banned in the country". A jail sentence of up to three years and/or a maximum fine of 20,000 Malaysian ringgits (approx. £3,340) will be given to anyone found guilty of breaking this ban.</I><BR/>It's dated April 2003, but can anyone tell me if the penalty still exists?zona mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01716528520955614784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162528485373722602006-11-03T12:34:00.000+08:002006-11-03T12:34:00.000+08:00machinist - the books you mention are 'restricted'...machinist - the books you mention are 'restricted' not 'gazetted' i.e. they have been stopped by kdn in jb. they may still be in the bookshops for the moment. if you read raman's website you will see how this works in practice for the distributors<BR/><BR/>sashi - yes, ain't reverse psychology great. <A HREF="http://thebookaholic.blogspot.com/2005/12/contraband-reads.html" REL="nofollow">thor made that very same point</A>.bibliobibulihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456636355933524132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162521117625059002006-11-03T10:31:00.000+08:002006-11-03T10:31:00.000+08:00The thing is, I'm not so sure whether 'restricted'...The thing is, I'm not so sure whether 'restricted' books are really banned. As we see from some titles like Spongebob, it seems that these titles are being picked randomly. Or, perhaps they are being restricted because of some bureaucratic snag.<BR/><BR/>We should get to the bottom of this, but let's not over-react.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162517373558287572006-11-03T09:29:00.000+08:002006-11-03T09:29:00.000+08:00eyeris - you give me the best news of the day!!!! ...eyeris - you give me the best news of the day!!!! lainie can relax now too.<BR/><BR/>philters - welcome and thanks<BR/><BR/>machinist - the difference is explained <A HREF="http://thebookaholic.blogspot.com/2006/10/bane-of-banning.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>bibliobibulihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456636355933524132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162514901110142982006-11-03T08:48:00.000+08:002006-11-03T08:48:00.000+08:00Funny thing about this.People I know are beginning...Funny thing about this.<BR/><BR/>People I know are beginning to look for the banned books to read. I myself have just borrowed a copy of Midnight's Children from a friend, and others are asking around for some others.<BR/><BR/>Maybe the KDN are using reverse psychology to get Malaysians to read more?<BR/><BR/>Nope, maybe not. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162511547888103682006-11-03T07:52:00.000+08:002006-11-03T07:52:00.000+08:00What is the real difference between 'banned' books...What is the real difference between 'banned' books and 'restricted' ones?<BR/><BR/>Could it be simply a case of titles randomly (or not so randomly) being pulled out of circulation or allowed only in limited numbers while the authorities put them under scrutiny?<BR/><BR/>Most of the 'restricted' titles will then be routinely derestricted, while some may be banned outright, or more likely, be kept on the restriction list indefinitely -- KIV'ed.<BR/><BR/>Just a theory...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162488145683721042006-11-03T01:22:00.000+08:002006-11-03T01:22:00.000+08:00i'll see what my media capacities can do...banning...i'll see what my media capacities can do...<BR/><BR/>banning books in the first place is disturbing, but the selections of books are just ridiculous.philtershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13155429401437294355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162483176358394742006-11-02T23:59:00.000+08:002006-11-02T23:59:00.000+08:00i have it in very good authority that at least thr...i have it in very good authority that at least three reporters from a certain daily are working on stories on the banned books... :Peyerishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683482201936973267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162474444758992252006-11-02T21:34:00.000+08:002006-11-02T21:34:00.000+08:00Right, just wanted to get that sorted out. Now tha...Right, just wanted to get that sorted out. Now that I know what's up:<BR/>*repeatedly bangs head against wall*<BR/><BR/>lemme see what i can do - though in terms of media connections you probably know more than i do.lainieyeohhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02195554155928295081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162449554499063122006-11-02T14:39:00.000+08:002006-11-02T14:39:00.000+08:00subashini - hi! and many thanks for the kind words...subashini - hi! and many thanks for the kind words and support<BR/><BR/>alliedmarster - there's tons of stuff to get upset about. i couldn't believe the nst front-page story the other day about half the rivers in this country being seriously polluted! got so emotional that this should happen to one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world. <BR/><BR/>but this is just one corner where i feel i can fight something that's very wrong.<BR/><BR/>lainie - why do you expect the kdn to be transparent and the finding of this info easy to come by? this is the whole crux of the matter - the reasons aren't given! the information isn't easy to come by! the kdn seem uncontactable by email - you can't get hold of the right people if you phone. even the DAP couldn't get answers about banned books answered! i get tip offs from distributors, bookshops (mainly raman who is doing a great job here) and readers. i put up every scrap of info i have. <BR/><BR/>what is needed now is thorough investigation by the media - ministers need to be interviewed and the whole thing blowing open. who has the guts to do that? frankly if this were anywhere in the wicked west this would be front page news! i have tipped off everyone i know with a media connection ... maybe you could do the same. (and maybe you could be the one to chase the story???)bibliobibulihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456636355933524132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162448688647712352006-11-02T14:24:00.000+08:002006-11-02T14:24:00.000+08:00Ban Robert Jordan! The Wheel of Time sucks anyway!...Ban Robert Jordan! The Wheel of Time sucks anyway! :Deyerishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683482201936973267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162447677835820882006-11-02T14:07:00.000+08:002006-11-02T14:07:00.000+08:00any idea if there's a list available online where ...any idea if there's a list available online where we can see what exactly they base these censorships on?lainieyeohhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02195554155928295081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162432708640489662006-11-02T09:58:00.000+08:002006-11-02T09:58:00.000+08:00Such is life in Malaysia, huh?It is ok to condone ...Such is life in Malaysia, huh?<BR/>It is ok to condone cheating politicians (don't you think that it is such a mild word to use? Cheat?)building mansions, it is ok to condone plagiarism in mainstream media, but it is definately not ok to have the common public reading these 'unfavourable works of the condemmed writers' as deemed by some nitwit who probably doesn't even have a diploma!<BR/>Let's not even go to the Head of Department not knowing his honchos were out at 4.00am in the morning punding and scaring the daylights of two peace loving foreigners wanting to 'enjoy the sights and sounds' of Langkawi (They certainly did get the sounds though!). . .Oh yes, it is perfectly OK to terminate pregnant Stewardesses and get away with it. .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162427979103718352006-11-02T08:39:00.000+08:002006-11-02T08:39:00.000+08:00indeed, outrage is about the only emotion i feel r...indeed, outrage is about the only emotion i feel right now...<BR/><BR/>this is pretty scary... god knows when they will finally get a clue about the books that sit in the "classics" section of the bookstores, and realise that no book is free from 'controversial' content, unless of course it's "who moved my cheese" or "the seven steps of highly effective morons" or something along those lines.<BR/><BR/>sharon, thanks for doggedly highlighting every aspect of this quite horrifying new phenomenon in your blog, and for others who are doing the same as well. i agree that publicity is key, and will gladly jump onboard for any petitions that we want to create, or boats that we want to build to get out of this country (although you can't quite jump onboard an unbuilt boat. hmm)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162394049586640932006-11-01T23:14:00.000+08:002006-11-01T23:14:00.000+08:00lainie - actually the ban only applies to copies o...lainie - actually the ban only applies to copies of the book with that partic. isbn number. they didn't like the bikini clad ladies on the cover of divine secrets of the yaya sisterhood, but other editions of the book were okay.<BR/><BR/>nobody gonna drag anyone anywhere ... my copy of satanic verses is still safe (and the most borrowed book on my shelves) and no-one came a knocking for 16 years ...<BR/><BR/>i don't think anyone is going to worry if you have these restricted copies or not, which is in itself another irony.<BR/><BR/>ms d - indeed. will email you.bibliobibulihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16456636355933524132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162391324744094972006-11-01T22:28:00.000+08:002006-11-01T22:28:00.000+08:00we should have a petition.sharon. pen pen pen pen....we should have a petition.<BR/><BR/>sharon. pen pen pen pen. everyone - pen pen pen pen pen.<BR/><BR/>aiyoh we're supposed to set up PEN Malaysia lah! bila mau jumpa?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162390074557091382006-11-01T22:07:00.000+08:002006-11-01T22:07:00.000+08:00Need to start digging a very big hole in my garden...Need to start digging a very big hole in my garden. Hope I have enough time to hide all my books before they drag me to jail....... in possession of illegal materials.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7912730.post-1162387704539372042006-11-01T21:28:00.000+08:002006-11-01T21:28:00.000+08:00yaya sisterhood, spongebob and read aloud children...yaya sisterhood, spongebob and read aloud children's classics? and bloody anatomy for the artist?<BR/><BR/>oh i give up.lainieyeohhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02195554155928295081noreply@blogger.com