The Home Ministry yesterday denied banning Jimi Hendrix's album Axis: Bold As Love, saying the authorities will only seize the artwork if it is used for commercial purposes.
The album which was released in 1967 (I was in my Standard One but only started listening to it in mid-70s) sparked controversies when a Hindu association in Penang complained that a poster of it was being sold in a book fair.
![]()
Hashimah Nik Jaafar, the Ministry's publications and Qur’anic text control division secretary, said reports of a ban on the album, which featured cover art depicting Jimi Hendrix as Lord Vishnu, were not accurate.
"The only thing we will do is confiscate any print material which may be religiously offensive. In fact, we did not find any of the posters (depicting the cover art) elsewhere besides at the book fair in Penang. The vendors have already clarified their situation and written a letter of apology," she said when contacted by The Star Online.
She also said the Home Ministry had been on the lookout for the poster following complaints by a Hindu group in Penang.
He, however, died young, at the age of 27 in 1970. Drugs were attributed to his death.
His fans are worldwide, including many Malaysians.
The album which was released in 1967 (I was in my Standard One but only started listening to it in mid-70s) sparked controversies when a Hindu association in Penang complained that a poster of it was being sold in a book fair.
"The only thing we will do is confiscate any print material which may be religiously offensive. In fact, we did not find any of the posters (depicting the cover art) elsewhere besides at the book fair in Penang. The vendors have already clarified their situation and written a letter of apology," she said when contacted by The Star Online.
"We are all right with people carrying the poster or the cover personally. However, if someone brings it in with the intention of re-selling it, we at the Ministry will confiscate it.Johnny Allen Hendrix, US singer, composer and musician was a big name during the 60s and 70s. Dubbed as the most influential electric guitarist in modern music, he received many awards for his work.
"We would either have it sent back or disallow it from making it into the market," she said.
She added that attempts to distribute the original cover of the album by slipping it into another cover would still be considered wrong as it was merely manipulating the issue.
She also said purchases of the album made for personal consumption were not an issue.
"The primary reason we are confiscating the cover is because we do not want to create public disorder by prompting intolerance by followers of the Hindu religion," she said, adding that Malaysians should have respect for everyone else as the country was multiracial.
News portals on Thursday reported that the Home Ministry had imposed a ban on the Jimi Hendrix album, following complaints from the Penang Hindu Association that a poster of it it was being sold in a book fair, which offended religious sensitivities.
The album was released in 1967, almost five decades ago.
He, however, died young, at the age of 27 in 1970. Drugs were attributed to his death.
His fans are worldwide, including many Malaysians.