Home Ministry bans publication of ‘Ultraman The Ultra Power’

Mar 7, 2014: The Home Ministry has banned the publication of the latest Bahasa Malaysia title of the popular Japanese television/manga superhero comic, ‘Ultraman the Ultra Power.’

While the Home Ministry has yet to give an official explanation for the ban, it is believed that the comic may have been caught up in the wake of the ‘Allah’ issue.

A Twitter user has uploaded what is said to be a page from the comic, in which Ultraman is referred to as Allah.

The possibly offending line on the page reads in Bahasa Malaysa: “Beliau dianggap sebagai, dan dihormati sebagai, ‘Allah’ atau Elder semua wira Ultra.” English translation: He is considered, and respected, as Allah or the Elder to all Ultra heroes.

A gazette was issued on February 18 banning the comic published by Resign Publications and printed by Network Printers.

Book ban leads to outpouring of mockery

The government’s ban on the book “Ultraman the Ultra Power” invited a steady stream of ridicule from Malaysian internet users agape at the decision to exile the popular Japanese superhero.

“Ultraman” quickly became a trending topic on Twitter this evening as news began to surface that the comic book was banned by the Home Ministry for containing elements detrimental to public order, with Malaysians taking turns to poke fun at the decision.

“For goodness sake, what is this ban on #Ultraman? What’s next? Space Cop Gaban? Kesatria Baja Hitam? Why not Power Rangers too?” a user under the handle of @mfosa posted in response to the news.

Another user, @anthraxxxx, expressed support for the ban in apparent jest.

“I can understand KDN’s reason to ban Ultraman’s book. When Ultraman drops on a city fighting monsters, it will create chaos and destruction,” he wrote, using the Home Ministry’s Malay acronym.

Even Cabinet ministers were not beyond joining in the merriment.

“Apa salah Ultraman?” (What is wrong with UItraman?) @khairykj, the Twitter account of Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin posted.

A stream of posts ridiculing the decision soon turned into a torrent, with some predicting that social media lampoonery of the Home Ministry’s ban would match that of the prime minister’s remark on water spinach prices in January.

 

 

source: The Malaysian Insider, The Malay Mail Online