UpdateMalaysia bans Ultraman comic book after it uses 'Allah' to describe Japanese action hero
Home Ministry says use of the word Allah to describe Japanese action hero could undermine public security and societal morals
Malaysia has banned an Ultraman comic book because it uses the word “Allah” to describe the Japanese action hero, during an ongoing row over use of the word by non-Muslims.
The Home Ministry, which is in charge of domestic security and censorship, says the Malay edition of Ultraman, The Ultra Power contains elements that can undermine public security and societal morals.
“Ultraman [King] is an idolised by many children,” and equating him with Allah will “confuse Muslim youth and damage their faith”, it said in a statement.
Ultraman [King] is an idolised by many children ... [It will] confuse Muslim youth and damage their faith
It warns such irresponsible use of the word Allah can provoke Muslims and threaten public safety.
It said on Friday that other Ultraman comic books were unaffected and that only this edition is banned.
The government says Allah, which is the Arabic word for God, is exclusive for Malay Muslims, who account for about 60 per cent of Malaysia’s 30 million people.
Ultraman is a fictional Japanese superhero who fights skyscraper-sized monsters, and first appeared on television in the 1960s.