By Patrick Lee | February 16, 2012
From FMT news
Political cartoonist Zunar has taken his controversial drawings to the United Kingdom.
PETALING JAYA: Controversial political cartoonist Zunar has taken his drawings to the United Kingdom.
In a solo exhibition yesterday at the Free Word Centre on 60 Farringdon Road, London, Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaq, showed 80 of his pieces there.
The exhibition was organised by “Article 19″, a London-based human rights NGO that looks into freedom of expression and information.
His artwork will be available for free viewing until March 13, from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday.
In a press statement, Zunar said that all Malaysians had to play their part in what he claimed was a “moral crisis” taking place in Malaysia.
“It is morally wrong for us to keep quiet… All Malaysians should play their part. Let us stand together and fight. As a cartoonist, this is my little contribution in this struggle. How can I be neutral (when) even my pen has a stand,” he said.
According to Zunar, drawing these cartoons was his way of taking a “firm stand” against Malaysia’s government, whom he called a “repressive regime”.
Asked where he got his ideas from, he said: “It is a bit easy because I live in Malaysia. Malaysian politicians provide me (with) ideas every day.”
“The Prime Minister (Najib Tun Razak) and his Cabinet ministers look very smart and intelligent, until they open their mouths. The moment they start to open their mouths, I open my sketch book.”
More than 100 people, including Radio Free Sarawak and Sarawak Report founder Clare Rewcastle Brown, turned up for the event. Many Malaysians and local Britons were also present at the exhibition.
Zunar is no stranger to controversy, and has often paid the price for drawing his cartoons.
On Sept 24 2010, Zunar was detained for two days over the publication of his book, “Cartoon-O-Phobia”. Later, the government would also ban several of his works, including “Gedung Kartun”, “Perak Darul Kartun” and “1Funny Malaysia”.
His work has been known to target many political figures, especially Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor. He has also touched on the Altantuya Sharibuu issue, the Scorpene submarines and Anwar Ibrahim.
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