Malaysia's government recently banned two books, citing national security concerns over alleged communist elements. This decision has sparked criticism and raised questions about Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's reformist commitments. Civil society groups have voiced immediate opposition to the ban, scrutinizing the administration's intent.

When Malaysia’s government announced a ban on two books in mid-April, the move raised eyebrows, with some questioning the intent of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration and his reformist credentials. The home affairs ministry on April 16 declared that the books – one of which was a memoir of the grandmother to an ally of Anwar – were a danger to national security for containing communist elements and ideologies. The decision triggered immediate pushback, predictably from civil society.....