Abim points out what's wrong with Hew's BRI comic

The fundamental problem with Hew Kuan Yau's controversial comic book was its narrative regarding China's oppression of the Uyghur community, said the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim).

"This can be seen through the contents of the comic which, among others, spread the propaganda that those who support the Uyghurs against the Chinese government's oppression are radicals.

"(The comic) also suggests that Muslims support terrorist groups," said Abim secretary-general Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz in a statement today.

In view of this, Faisal said Abim supported the Education Ministry's decision to block the book from being distributed in schools, and also supported Youth and Sports Minister Syed Sadiq Syed Abdul Rahman for condemning the publishers.

Faisal was referring to a comic book authored by Malaysia-China Business Council CEO Hew titled "Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Win for Winism" and published in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese.

The book gained notoriety after former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak publicised the fact that the publisher had attempted to have the book distributed in schools for free.

In one page, the comic had suggested that there was a significant portion of the Malaysian population who supported a regional terrorist group, Jemaah Islamiyah.

"Apart from that, radical Malay youths who were concerned over the ethnic policy in Xinjiang, have led to a negative perception of China.

"Particularly, in the matter of China banning a minority group of Uyghurs who were involved in separatist movements which threatened unity and harmony," read the book.

Hew had argued that the book was not propaganda and was instead designed to help youths understand Malaysia's role in China's belt-and-road initiative.

Controversy about the book was compounded by the fact that Hew has a history of being foul-mouthed on ceramah stages, and other inflammatory comments.

Although Hew is a former DAP member, he is perceived to still enjoy patronage from the party and has the support of the party's grassroots.

Hew was made CEO of the Malaysia-China Business Council which is currently chaired by DAP national chairperson Tan Kok Wai.

The treatment of China's Uyghur community - which includes forced labour and incarceration in "re-education" camps - has received condemnation from many developed democracies, primarily the US.

China has argued that the policy was necessary to address terrorism by separatist groups.

China's position is supported by Saudi Arabia, Russia, Pakistan, Philippines, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Belarus, Myanmar, Syria, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.