SINGAPORE: A comic book, imported from the US and laden with adult content, was sold at the World Book Fair held at the Suntec Convention Centre last weekend.

Displayed among other children's books at the fair, the comics caught the attention of teenagers and grown-ups.

Rachel Chan said: "I was really shocked. There are suggestively drawn frontal nudity graphics, showing women's breasts and men's private parts. The book shows how kids could make money by producing their own porn."

A check shows that these comic books are also available at the Kinokuniya bookstore at the Ngee Ann City shopping mall.

However, they are shrink-wrapped and labelled.

The bookstore said customers are required to approach staff for help if they are keen to view them.

Many larger bookstores also carry the title and some even ran out of stock.

Responding to Channel NewsAsia, Times the Bookshop said it regrets that the comic book was inadvertently included for sale at the book fair.

It added that the title, published by HarperCollins, was picked from a local distributor's list of bestselling books.

Times, which has since removed the books from its shelves, said it had assumed the distributor had cleared the book's content with relevant authorities in Singapore.

The Media Development Authority (MDA) said it is investigating how these books with sexual content have landed in the book fair.

It explained that the comic book in question was "disallowed" in January 2007 for containing excessive and explicit nudity and sexual scenes after an importer had submitted a copy to MDA for approval.

This decision was made available on its database, which is accessible to all registered importers of publications.

MDA added that the importers practise self-regulation under the Registered Importers' Scheme which it has set up to facilitate faster clearance of publications imported into Singapore.

Since 1 June 2007, MDA requires comics carrying adult content be shrink-wrapped and labelled "Unsuitable for the Young".

It has briefed the industry on the revised guidelines and has encouraged distributors to consult MDA when in doubt.

Under the regulations, anyone who makes, imports, sells or distributes obscene publication can face a fine of up to S$5,000 (US$3,250) or a jail term of up to a year, or both.


- CNA/so