Banned?

Well, I was not aware until I read that the ban has been (thankfully) overturned.

The Prohibition Order happened in 2023 and I missed the news because, well 2023 was a bad year for me and I missed a lot things.

You can read the news articles here and here.

When you want to publish books and periodicals, you require approval from Kementerian Dalam Negeri (Home Ministry). Even after you are approved, they could ding dong you if there is a complaint after your publication is out in the market.

Many years ago the editor-in-chief of (the now defunct) Esquire Malaysia called me because one of their editions was rejected. My immediate question to him was "Sam, was there anything risque in there?" 

Well, there was a cheeky photo and they were apparently trying to push envelope. Nope, you do not do that in Malaysia!

Anyway. What harm or offense could arise from When I Was A Kid 3??

Just recently I came upon a three month old report that the High Court overturned the prohibition order.

Well, the book was banned because an Indonesian NGO complained about this story.

It was the reference to "monkey" that was the issue. I am glad that the learned judge saw through the "offensive" reference.  "Monkey" in this context was a reference to how skillful the maid was in scaling the coconut tree (like a monkey).

I have been re-reading my When I Was A Kid collection and it is still fresh and hilarious.

Let me share some of the gems. The way to read is left to right and then move down, repeat.

The last bit (as usual his mom is hilarious) had me letting out a booming guffaw. For those who don't know, ku ku jiao is colloquial Hokkien for a boy's pee pee. If you don't know what is pee pee, I cannot help you.

This is one of my favorites that made me go hah!!!..hah!!!..hah!!!...

Well, I have books 4, 5 and 7 to read again.