Banned books for academics

Banned books for academics

JAKARTA (JP): Books which are banned by the government because
of their political contents should be made available to academic
circles in Indonesia, the State Minister of National Development
Planning Board said yesterday.

Ginandjar Kartasasmita said scholars should be given access to
such books for their studies.

"If Salman Rushdie's book is said to offend religion, at least
students at the Institute of Islamic Studies should be allowed to
read it," he said in opening a three-day First National Book
Congress at Hotel Indonesia.

He was referring to Rushdie's Satanic Verses, which has been
banned in Indonesia, as well as in most other Moslem countries
because the book is considered blasphemous to Islam.

The government has also banned all books with communist
teachings, or anything that smacks of communism.

The latest book banned was Nyanyi Sunyi Seorang Bisu (Silent
Song of a Mute), by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, in April. (anr)