“restricted” as far as i can puzzle it means encik x of the KDN (ministry of internal affairs) , johor bahru branch, takes exception to this book. you are not allowed to bring it in over the border from singapore. he does not feel like telling you why. let the singaporeans read it, and if the distributors suffer by having stock on their hands they can’t get rid of in the island state, tough!

meanwhile, “restricted” does not seem to mean “banned”. if the book happens to be in the bookshops already, never mind. the kdn won’t raid the shelves. if the book comes in by a different route, well they won’t go looking for it either. thus “restricted” books might still get in by a different route

“banned” is supposed to mean it shouldn’t be available anywhere, i suppose. the decision is from the KDN in kuala lumpur. again no reasons are given.

but malaysia being the funny old country it is … i can tell you where you can buy the banned “karma sutra”, illustrated version (lots of copies!) … and where karen armstrong’s banned books are right there on the bookshelves (won’t post it here though)

apathy is a wonderful antidote to bureaucracy!

Just hope the Malaysian government doesn’t take up book-burning. That should be listed as a crime against humanity.