Comic Book Store Owner Covers Sexy Dolls With Pieces Of Paper So He Won't Be Raided
Due to censorship fears, a shop owner has taken an extra step to protect his prized figurines from being seized by the authorities.
By Samantha Khor — 29 May 2015, 01:32 PM
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.
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
“I will leave them (the female figurines) like that until the rumours blow over [...] then I will take (the pieces of paper) off,” said Wong.
malaysiakini.com
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.
"When I had an exhibition at the ground floor (of Mid Valley Megamall), they (the authorities) said Wonder Woman’s panty line was too exposed. I said: ‘My grandmother’s panty (line) looks like that, too.’"
Speaking about the raid last month, he said that he does not "see the point of all that".
"These figurines are not for kids. It’s not corrupting the children’s mind. They see more of it on TV and the Internet. For me, it’s art […] they are all my personal collection. If they (the authorities) come and confiscate, I’ll be in deep pain,” he explained.
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.
Robotica Toys outlet manager, who only wants to be known as MC, said he was aware of the recent raid.
“But as you can see, we are selling Marvel characters - like Mary Jane from the movie ‘Spiderman’, her costume is like that. For me, I don’t see anything wrong in the female figurines. If they come after us, I really don’t know what to say,” MC said, who manages the outlet in Ampcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya.
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
“I am Muslim and I know why the authorities made such a decision. But at the same time, I am an Otaku (a Japanese pop culture fan), I understand why they are portraying the dolls like that - to attract fans,” a salesperson at another specialty toy store, who only wants to be known as Nabil said.
He further added that he would be helpless if there was a raid on his store.