Zunar awarded “2016 Cartooning For Peace Award”

Caption:

1. Zunar recieving the award from Kofi Annan at the Palais Eynard, Geneva.

2. Zunar explain to Kofi Annan about his cartoon at the exhibition at Lac Leman. Also present are Geneva Mayor, Mr Guillaume Barazzone (right) and cartoonist Plantu

Zunar awarded “2016 Cartooning For Peace Award”

I am honored to be one of the winner of  2016 Cartooning For Peace Award”. The ceremoney was held at the Palais Eynard in Geneva in the presence of the Honorary President of the Swiss Foundation Cartooning for Peace, the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan and Municipal Councillor for the City of Geneva Mr Guillaume Barazzone.

The other winner is Kenyan cartoonist, Gado. Work of both cartoonists are exhibited at the Lac Leman in Geneva.

ZUNAR’s STATEMENT

“2016 International Editorial Cartoons Prize” gives new strength for me to continue the fight against the 60-year old corrupt and repressive Malaysian regime. Human rights and freedom of expression in Malaysia are in dire straits. Sedition Act and other draconian laws are used widely to silence critics. All institutions are being used as political tools by the regime in order to maintain power.

Talent is not a gift, but a responsibility. It is a duty for me as a cartoonist to use the art as a weapon to fight unjust rulers. Fear and intimidation are the potent tools being used by the regime to scare the people. I believe, strokes of art can lead the people to cross the line of fear.

I also strongly believe that, when facing with moral crisis, there is no room to grumble in silence. We have to stand up and cry our voice out loud and clear. Neutrality is escapism for those who live in comfort zone. How Can I be Neutral, Even My Pen Has a Stand!

Finally, I would like to remind the regime that repression begets rebellion: you can ban my cartoons, you can ban my books, but you cannot ban my mind. I will continue to fight through cartoons. I will keep fighting until the last drop of my ink.

Zunar

Political cartoonist

3rd May 2016, Geneva

THE BACKGROUND

Zunar (Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque) is  a political cartoonist from Malaysia. Through his cartoons, he expose corruption and abuse of power committed by the government of Malaysia. His

slogan is “How Can I be Neutral, Even My Pen Has a Stand”. He is now facing nine charges under Sedition Act and facing possible 43 years jail if found guilty.

He was detained and locked behind bars twice first time was on September 2010 for two days and recently on 10th of February 2015 for three days. Five of his cartoon books have been banned and his office in Kuala Lumpur has been raided a few times and thousands of his cartoon books were confiscated.

The printers and bookstores around the country which carry his cartoon works, have been raided and they have also been warned not to print or carry any of his titles.

October 2014, three of his assistants were arrested for selling my latest cartoon books. The webmaster, who manages his website and online bookstore, was called in by the police for interrogating.

Previous Awards:

1)  “Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award 2011” by Cartoonists Right

Network International

2) Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammett Award for 2011 & 2015

3) International Press Fredom Award, Commitee to Protect Journalist, New York 2015

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Zunar terima anugerah “2016 International Editorial Cartoons Prize”

Saya berasa bartuah dipilih sebagai salah seorang pemenang “International Editorial Cartoons Prize” bagi tahun 2016. Majlis penyampaian diadakan di Palais Eynard di Geneva dengan kehadiran Presiden Terhormat Swiss Foundation Cartooning for Peace yang juga bekas Setiausaha Agung Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu Kofi Annan dan juga Datuk Bandar Geneva, Guillaume Barazzone.

Kartunis dari Kenya, Gado juga memenangi anugerah yang sama untuk tahun ini. Disamping itu, kedua-dua kartunis juga diberi peluang untuk mempamerkan karya kartun mereka di tepi tasik Lac Leman in Geneva.

ZUNAR’s STATEMENT

“2016 International Editorial Cartoons Prize” memberi kekuatan baru kepada saya untuk terus menggugah kerajaan zalim Malaysia yang telah berusia 60 tahun. Hak asasi manusia dan kebebasan bersuara di Malaysia kini berada dalam keadaan yang sangat parah. Akta Hasutan dan akta-akta lapuk lainnya diguna oleh pemerintah untuk melenyapkan suara pengiritik. Semua institusi kerajaan diguna sebagai perkakas oleh pemerintah untuk terus berkuasa.

Bakat bukanlah keistimewaan, tetapi adalah tanggung jawab. Menjadi tanggungjawab saya sebagai kartunis untuk menggunakan seni sebagai senjata bagi menentang pemerintah zalim. Senjata ampuh bagi mana-mana rejim di dunia ialah dengan menanamkan ketakutan dan intimidasi untuk menakutkan rakyat. Lakaran seni dapat memimpin rakyat untuk merentasi garisan ketakutan.

Apabila kita berhadapan dengan krisis moral, tiada ruang untuk merungut dalam diam. Kita mesti bangun dan melaungkan suara dengan kuat dan jelas. Bersikap neutral adalah adalah satu bentuk pelarian dari kenyataan bagi mereka yang hidup dalam zon yang selesa. Bagaimana saya boleh bersikap neutral, sedangkan pen saya juga punya stand. Akhirnya, saya ingin mengingatkan kepada kerajaan Malaysia bahawa semakin kuat tekanan, semkain kuat pula penentangan: Anda boleh mengharamkan kartun saya, anda boleh mengharamkan buku saya, tetapi anda tidak boleh mengharamkan fikiran saya. Saya akan terus berjuang melali kartun. Saya akan terus berlawan sehingga ke titisan dakwat terakhir.

Zunar

Political cartoonist

3 May 2016, Geneva

LATAR BELAKANG

Zunar, nama sebenar Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque adalah kartunis politik di Malaysia. Karya-karya beliau memfokus kepada membongkar korupsi, salah laku dan kezaliman kerajaan Malaysia di bawah pentadbiran Barisan Nasional.

Pada 10 Februari lepas, beliau ditangkap di dimasukkan ke lokap selama tiga hari di bawah Akta Hasutan.

Sebelum itu, pada September 2010, beliau juga pernah ditangkap di bawah undang-undang yang sama.

Pada 3 April 2015, Zunar di dakwa ke mahkamah atas sembilan tuduhan di bawah Akta Hasutan. Hukuman maksima untuk semua kesalahan ini adalah 43 tahun penjara.

Sebelum itu, pemerintah mengharamkan tujuh buku kartun beliau. Pengilang dan pekedai di seluruh Malaysia diugut supaya tidak mencetak dan menjual buku-buku kartun Zunar.

Pejabatnya di Kuala Lumpur sudah tiga kali diserbu penguasa dan ribuan buku dirampas.

Zunar adalah satu-satunya rakyat Malaysia dan termasuk dalam 10 inidividu dari seluruh dunia yang dipilih dalam kempen ‘Write for Rights (#W4R) 2015′ oleh Amnesty International.