'Where Did I Come From' book Got Banned?!!

One of the Pages explaining on the bird and the bees
Source: Burrokers

Peter Mayle
Source: BBC News

Peter Mayle is a British author famous for his series of books detailing life in France. in 1984, he published a book titled 'Where Did I Come From' that describes the reproductive process from intercourse to birth. According to a report by The Star (2012), the Home Ministry has banned the sale of 'Where Did I Come From' book due to the over information about love making. Burrokers (2012), added that this book is deemed too obscene for Malaysia. This book has been sold around 2 million copies and most of the reviewers find it useful, but some find it disturbing and this book is considered threatening the moral values of life. 

The Book that been banned
Source: Burrokers

The Home Ministry told the Malaysia Star Newspaper that the reason why book was banned is because its content infringed censorship laws. He added that if anyone was found in making the copies of the book for distribution will be jailed or fine up to 20.000 ringgit. According to BBC News (2012), In november 2011, another book titled 'Islamic sex' that refers to sex tips to the readers was banned due to the censorship law. 

One of the pages in the book
Source: Burrokers

Based on The Malaysian Insider (2012), telling kids sex is bad is the traditional way of keeping them out of the trouble. In this case, although the book is very useful for people to know about the bird and the bees, but it still improper for the children to read. This book is probably would match if it was published in West country. Like KVL (1998) once stated that every document design must suit with the specific culture before its actually design and published. Media is critical in today's society. Sani (2005) stated that the government in Malaysia has restricted media freedom for the purpose of national security and political stability. This has proven that the censorship laws in Malaysia has controlled the media in every way. 

Source: Burrokers

To conclude, I'm glad that the Home Minister made a right decision by banning this book. There are might be thousand of opinions and reactions you could possibly get but it still the laws who control and make the rules.

335 words

Reference:

BBC News, 2012, Malaysia 'Bans' Peter Mayle Book Where Did I Come From, viewed June 7 2012, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17112635>.

Burrokers, L 2012, 'Images from the book deemed 'Too Obscene' for Malaysia', viewed June 7 2012, <http://www.loyarburok.com/2012/02/21/book-obscene/>.

Kress, G & Van Leeuwen, T, 1998, 'Front Pages: The Critical Analysis of a Newspaper Layout', in Bell A, Garret P, 'Approaches to Media Discourse', Blackwell, Oxford Publication, pp. 186 - 219. 

Sani, MAM 2005, 'Media Freedom in Malaysia', ProQuest, Journal of Contemporary Asia, vol. 35, no. 3.

The Malaysian Insider, 2012, 'Where did we come From and Where Did We Headed For? - Sim Tong', viewed June 7 2012, <http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/where-did-we-come-from-and-where-are-we-headed-sim-tong/>.

The Star, 2012, Ministry Bans 'Where Did I Come From' book, viewed June 7 2012, <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/22/nation/20120222153939&sec=nation>.