Malaysia bans Ultraman for comparison to God

Malaysia has banned a comic book starring the Japanese superhero Ultraman because it could disturb “public order,” sparking a torrent of online ridicule from those who saw it as the latest sign of excessive censorship in the Muslim-majority country.

The book, “Ultraman The Ultra Power,” was banned from Feb. 18 with a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment for anyone who imported or published the comic, state news agency Bernama reported the home ministry as saying.

The book was on a list of banned publications on the ministry’s website on Friday.

Home ministry officials did not respond to a request for comment on the ban and on reports that it had been implemented because it contains a reference comparing Ultraman to God, while using the same Malay and Arabic word for God.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2014/03/07/God-forbid-Malaysia-bans-Ultraman-for-blasphemy.html