Malaysian authorities plan to ban a book about sex published by a group of Muslim women who call themselves the Obedient Wives Club and advocate subservience to husbands.

The Malay-language book titled Islamic Sex is not available at shops but is believed to have been read by hundreds of members of the club.

Despite its provocative title, the book is mainly about the club founder's experiences and opinions on marriage.

It contains no explicit photographs but has several passages on how couples should physically and spiritually handle sex.

A Home Ministry official said today that the government recommended banning the book because it could cause confusion among Malaysia's Muslim majority about acceptable religious teachings.