In a statement, it said the comic book was also not an official souvenir during the meeting between Mahathir and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China recently and was brought in without following procedures.
“The prime minister was not involved in publishing the book and did not know its contents.
“He did not give any consent for his picture to be used for any purpose nor did he give any authorisation for the book to be distributed in schools,” the statement added.
The publisher, the Asia Comics and Cultural Museum, headed by DAP’s Hew Kuan Yew, had said the comic book was about Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Penang state government has distanced itself from the publication, with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow saying his administration merely helped lease retail space for the Asia Comics and Cultural Museum at the IT Mall in Komtar.
Chow said the museum has nothing to do with DAP.
The education ministry has clarified that it did not give approval for the free distribution of the comic book in secondary and vernacular schools.
The ministry has instructed all state and district education offices to ensure all schools did not accept or distribute this comic book from any supplier.
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said initial investigations by the ministry’s security division indicated that the contents in the publication were a cause for concern.
As such, stern action would be taken against those behind the distribution, he said, adding that investigations into the matter would not be rushed.
Former prime minister Najib Razak had claimed the propaganda in the comic book glorifies DAP.