COMMENT | Which of the following is more likely to spread communist ideology as claimed by Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi?

1. A comic book on the Belt and Road initiative promoted by China;

2. Hobnobbing with officials of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Kuala Lumpur;

3. None of the above.

Is there any truth to the claims by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh that the book has to be banned because “the sensitivities of the majority Malay Muslims need to be prioritised and preserved to ensure the stability of this country?”

As suggested in a previous column, the hullabaloo over the lifting of the ban on the “Belt and Road Initiative for Win-Winism” book was caused by the upcoming Umno general assembly.

But here are some salient facts these Umno leaders must consider...