Zunar’s cartoon featuring ‘billionaire’ Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was featured in a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The cartoon, which contrasted billionaire Donald Trump becoming US president and Najib becoming a billionaire while being prime minister, was highlighted by Globe Cartoon’s editorial cartoonist Patrick Chappatte.
Chappatte was speaking about the Cartooning for Peace Award, which Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, received last year.
“This is the cartoon he did on the prime minister of Malaysia, who as you may know, has been involved in a huge corruption scandal (in) the public fund of Malaysia.
“A lot of money ended up in his account. Zunar has been relentless in denouncing the corruption of the government,” Chappatte told the audience as the cartoon was displayed on the wide screen.
Najib claimed the US$681 million deposited into his personal bank accounts was a “donation” from a member of the Saudi Arabia royal family.
Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali, who cleared Najib of wrongdoing, said US$620 million of that money was “returned”.
Chappatte also highlighted Zunar’s prosecution under the Sedition Act.
“He is now under a travel ban and his trial is next week.
“He is facing nine charges that can go up to 43 years in jail for denouncing corruption in his cartoon,” he said.
The session, titled ‘The Art of Dissent’, took place on Thursday.
Other speakers were United Nation’s special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association Maina Kiai, Asharq Al-Awsat columnist Mina Al-Oraibi, Videovision Entertainment producer Anant Singh and independent filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour.
Najib did not attend the World Economic Forum this year. He was represented by International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed.
Original site: http://m.malaysiakini.com/news/370033
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