Malaysian cartoonist Zunar, who is facing a trial for his work, is to have four of his most celebrated cartoons exhibited at London’s Cartoon Museum.
“This will be my very first exhibition held in a cartoon museum. At a time when I am facing pressure from the Malaysian government for my works this is genuine encouragement, a tribute I humbly acknowledge and am tremendously grateful for,” said Zunar, who is facing nine charges under the Sedition Act and potentially up to 43 years in prison.
Zunar’s work will be on display at the museum’s cartoon and caricature gallery from 4 Nov 2015, alongside a new exhibition Gillray’s Ghost, marking the 200th anniversary of the death of English caricaturist James Gillray who was also regarded as a provocative figure in his day.
“Zunar is part of a great political cartooning tradition which asks awkward questions of those in power in images which endure in people’s memory,” said Anita O’Brien, director of The Cartoon Museum. “No doubt Gillray would be sympathetic to his cause so it is appropriate that their works are on show at the same time.”
When: From Wednesday, 4 Nov 2015 to January 2016
(Hours: Mon – Sat: 10.30 – 17.30, (inc. Bank Holidays); Sun 12.00 – 17.30) Where: The Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street, London WC1A 2HH (map) Tickets:Admission information
Malaysian cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, aka Zunar, is currently in the UK to raise awareness ahead of his court case in his home country at the start of next month. He is facing nine charges of sedition for criticising Malaysia’s judiciary over the recent incarceration of a Malaysian opposition leader and could be sentenced to a maximum of 43 years imprisonment.
While in the UK, Zunar will be part of an exhibition at the Cartoon Museum.
“I want people to understand the situation in Malaysia through cartoons,” he said during an interview with Index on Censorship. The full video can be seen above.
“I will never stop,” he added. “It is my right as a citizen to express my view and my responsibility as a cartoonist to give alternative views.”
Zunar and his work have been repeatedly targeted by the Malaysian authorities. In September this year, police opened an investigation on his latest book of political cartoons, Sapuman – Man of Steal. A sales assistant who manages online sales of the title was questioned by police under the Sedition Act. A number of his cartoon books been banned by the government.
This article was posted on 29 October 2015 at indexoncensorship.org
Zunar is a Malaysian political cartoonist who has been repeatedly targeted by authorities on account of his work.
Five of his cartoon books have been banned by the Malaysian government for allegedly carrying content “detrimental to public order” and thousands confiscated in an effort to curtail freedom of expression.
On the eve of his trial, and facing a maximum penalty of 43 years imprisonment, Zunar is coming to the UK to exhibit a small selection of his work at the Cartoon Museum.
Join us to hear a courageous artist speak about his cartoons and his inspirations, and human rights and freedom of expression in his home country Malaysia.
The evening will include film, a talk and Q&A from Zunar, and a chance to draw your own cartoon, with tips from Zunar himself – telling the Malaysian authorities to drop all charges against a man who might otherwise spend the rest of his life in jail.
When: Thursday, 29 Oct, 2015, 6pm – 8:30pm Where: Amnesty International UK, Human Rights Action Centre, London, EC2A 3EA (map) Tickets: Free, but registration required
6:00pm – Arrival
6:15pm – Documentary screening
6:45pm – Introductions
7:00pm – Zunar talk and Q&A
8:00pm – Draw your own cartoons with tips from Zunar
This event is being co-hosted by Amnesty International UK, Index on Censorship and SUARAM.
Malaysian cartoonist Zunar is facing charges under a colonial era sedition act. (Photo: Sean Gallagher/Index on Censorship)
Persecuted Malaysian cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, who is facing nine simultaneous charges under the country’s controversial Sedition Act, has had his case pushed back until 9 September.
The artist, known as Zunar, told supporters in an email that his case had been adjourned pending a ruling from the Federal Court in a separate case that challenges the constitutionality of the Sedition Act.
The current case sees Zunar facing 43 years in prison over a tweet criticising the recent jailing of a Malaysian opposition leader. He has been targeted numerous times for speaking out against the Malaysian government in his editorial cartoons. Zunar was investigated under the sedition act for the first time in 2010, much of his work has been banned, and he has been subjected to repeated raids, arrest and detainment.
“Zunar is being prosecuted simply for exercising his right to express himself. We welcome the legal challenge to the Sedition Act; a tool the government uses to try and stifle and silence dissent from Zunar and other critics. But regardless of the outcome in that case, we reiterate our call on Malaysia to immediately drop all charges against Zunar and respect free expression,” said Index on Censorship CEO Jodie Ginsberg.
You can support Zunar by signing this petition to call on the Malaysian government to drop all charges against him and renew its commitment to freedom of expression.
