Ultraman Book Banned Due to ‘Public Safety’ Concerns

An upcoming comic book based on the long running Ultraman series is coming under fire in Malaysia. 

Before its release has even set in stone, the upcoming book Ultraman: The Ultra Power is already facing opposition. The Ministry of Home Affairs branch of the Malaysian government is announcing that the book will be banned in the country.

The Ministry is citing the Printing Press and Publication Act of 1984 in their ruling. The group claims the book has been banned due to content that may contain ‘elements which undermine public order and threaten public safety’.

Section 8 of the act states that it is illegal to own, sell, or otherwise distribute any material that might be deemed as prohibited or damaging to public safety. Violators of the act are punishable with of a fine of up to RM 20,000 (roughly $6,100) as well as three months of imprisonment.

UPDATE 1: According to Comic Book Resources, a possible reason for the banning might be the use of the word “Allah” to describe one of the Ultraman characters as being god-like within the story.

Source: Free Malaysia Today, Comic Book Resources

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