Cover image via Chai Jian Mei / Malaysiakini
Earlier last month, the Home Ministry seized more than RM14,000 worth of obscene materials during a raid in a shopping mall in PJ
Items confiscated by Home Ministry officials include a variety of sex dolls; shirts, books, and posters with pornographic materials; as well as weed-themed merchandise.
Publication and distribution of obscene materials are forbidden under the Printing Presses Publications Act 1984 and anyone convicted of doing so could be fined up to RM20,000 and/or jailed up to three years.
Image via Michelle Tam / The Star Online
Following the raid, rumours that authorities will seize figurines with inappropriate costumes began to circulate. In fact, a shop owner had taken extra precaution to avoid having his stuff confiscated by the authorities.
Wong Khai Hoong, who owns a comic book store in Mid Valley Megamall, have covered up the cleavage area of some scantily-clad female figurines with pieces of paper after hearing of those rumours
Image via Chai Jian Mei / Malaysiakini
Image via Chai Jian Mei / Malaysiakini
Wong is of the opinion that the figurines are not capable of corrupting young minds, as they are not meant for kids. He also added that he is taking extra precaution to protect his "personal collection" of collectibles.
Image via Chai Jian Mei / Malaysiakini
Image via Chai Jian Mei / Malaysiakini
However, other stores that are also selling similar figurines have no plans to do the same. Echoing Wong's sentiment, they don't think that there is anything wrong with the female superhero figurines.
Image via Robotica Toys's Facebook
Fans of Japanese pop culture a.k.a. Otaku pointed out it is completely understandable as to why the "obscene" dolls are portrayed as they are – to appeal to Otaku fans
Image via Shuji Kajiyama / AP
