On 17 Dec 2016, I was arrested again by the police during my fund-raising program with my fans. The police confiscated more than 1,000 books which involved twelve (12) titles, causing losses of estimated RM30,000. I was taken to the police station and investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code for being “Detrimental to Parliamentary Democracy.
Two of my assistants and two fans were also arrested. I was questioned for almost 6 hours and released under bail at midnight. I would have to report back to the police station on the 30 Dec 2016.
According to the police, they will apply a law to forfeit my rights (lucut hak) over my books.
The arrest was the second in three weeks. On 26 Nov 2016, I was arrested under the Sedition Act and detained in the police lock-up during my exhibition in Penang. The arrest came a day after a pro-government mobs Umno Youth) attacked my exhibition at KOMTAR.
These add up to the long list of harrassments and intimidation by the Malaysian government on me.
In November this year, the government imposed a travel ban on me to stop me from traveling abroad. Apart from that, I am now facing nine (9) charges under the Sedition Act. Prior to that, I was arrested and locked up twice under the Sedition Act, seven of my cartoon books are banned, three of the printers who printed my books were raided. The authorities have also raided my office several times and arrested my webmasters.
(See details here https:/news/story-cartoonist-zunar/ )
The timeline in the link shows that the intimidations and harasments on me have escalated from 2009 until now.
The pattern is directly proportionate to the increased level of corruption and injustices. Corrupt government fears cartoons.
I would like to point out my stand: talent is not a gift, but a responsibility. It is my responsibility as a cartoonist to expose corruption and injustices. Do I fear jail? Yes, but responsibility is bigger that fear. You can ban my books, you can ban my cartoons, but you cannot ban my mind. I will keep drawing until the last drop of my ink.
Zunar
Political Cartoonist
19 December 2016
Awards
1. “Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award 2011” by Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI).
2. Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammett Award for 2011 & 2015.
3. “Cartooning For Peace Award 2016” Geneva by Kofi Annan
4. International Press Freedom Award, Committee to Protect Journalist, New York 2015
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Kerajaan rasuah takut kepada kartun
Pada 17 Dis 2016, saya ditangkap lagi ketika majlis kumpul dana bersama peminat-peminat. Polis juga merampas lebih 1000 buah buku dengan 12 judul menyebabkan kerugian dianggar RM30,000. Saya telah di bawa ke balai Polis dan diasiasat di bawah Seksyen 124 Kanun Keseksaan atas alasan “Mengancam Demokrasi Berparlimen.”
Dua orang pembantu saya dan dua orang peminat juga turut ditahan. Saya disoal selama 6 jam dan dibebas dengan ikat jamin pada tengah malam. Saya diminta melapor diri semula kepada polis pada 30 Dis 2016.
Menurut polis, mereka akan ke mahkamah untuk melucut hak buku-buku saya.
Tangkapan tersebut adalah kali kedua dalam tiga minggu. Pada 26 Nov lepas, saya ditangkap dan dimasukkan ke lokap di bawah Akta Hasutan. Tangkapan itu dibuat sehari selepas Pemuda Umno menyerang pameran kartun saya di Komtar.
Kejadian-kejaadian ini menambah senarai panjang tekanan dan kekerasan oleh kerajaan Malaysia terhadap saya. Pertengahan November lepas, kerajaan mula mengenakan sekatan menghalang saya dari keluar negara. Selain itu, saya sekarang sedang menghadapi 9 tuduhan di bawah Akta Hasutan. Sebelum itu, saya pernah dilokap dua kali di bawah Akta Hasutan, tujuh buku saya diharam, tiga kilang pencetak yang mencetak buku saya diserbu. Pejabat saya juga telah beberapa kali diserbu pihak berkuasa dan pengandali laman web saya ditangkap. Lengkapnya lihat di pautan sini.
(See details here https:/news/story-cartoonist-zunar/ )
Garis masa dalam pautan tersebut menunjukkan tekanan dan kekerasan terhadap saya meningkat dari tahun 2009 sehingga sekarang. Ini selari dengan kadar kenaikan rasuah dan ketidakadilan. Kerajaan rasuah takut kepada kartun.
Saya ingin menyatakan pendirian: Bakat bukan anugerah, tapi sebuah tanggungjawab. Adalah menjadi tanggungjawab saya sebagai kartunis untuk membongkar rasuah dan ketidakadilan. Adakah saya takut dipenjara? Ya. Tetapi tanggungjawab lebih besar dari ketakutan. Mereka boleh haramkan buku saya, mereka boleh haramkan kartun saya, tetapi anda tidak boleh mengharamkan minda saya. Saya akan terus melukis hingga ke titisan dakwat terakhir.
Zunar
Kartunis politik
19 Disember 2016
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