Only right to review NLB’s vetting process

We are told again that the National Library Board has withdrawn undesirable publications from its libraries.

What grabs attention is that even if vetting personnel might not have a grip on the Malay language, the graphics are depicted openly, including on the cover, and do not even warrant further investigation into whether to carry these books.

As reported in “Removal of controversial Malay books: NLB to learn from incident, but can’t vet every book, says Yaacob” (June 9, online), this is not the first time that undesirable books have been recalled.

The Communications and Information Ministry has rightfully instructed the NLB to review its vetting process, which the NLB either is nonchalant about or has not reinforced after the previous incident.

This is a failure to safeguard the sanctity of Singapore’s multiracial, multi-religious harmony.