A broad and rather vague new law bans any book containing "elements of mysticism, fantasy and superstition". The strange ban, which allows Harry Potter but denies Chinese and Malay folk tales, seems aimed at stopping the spread of local spooky urban legends.

Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung said books that do not 'give children nightmares' will be allowed. Books aimed at adults, such as Stephen King novels, are supposedly not affected by the ban.

Book importers are very unhappy not only with the new restriction, but with the law's lack of specificity. 'It is very vague. There are books with chapters dealing in ghostly areas. Do we have to check every book brought in?' said the president of the Malaysian Book Exporters and Importers Association, Mr Kevin Sugumaran.

Source: AsiaMedia [1]