Zunar Kartunis

Life as seen through the eyes of a cartoonist

2012-03-08T20:19:00.002-08:00

Mariam Mokhtar | March 9, 2012

Reference : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2012/03/09/life-as-seen-through-the-eyes-of-a-cartoonist/ (Free Malaysia Today)

Comment

Last year, Malaysia’s cartoonist Zunar, whose full name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, filed a civil suit against the police and the government over his “unlawful detention”. On Feb 28, he was told that the trial has been postponed to April 5 and 6.

In a recent interview, he told of his long years in the political wilderness, when he was disappointed by the censorship of his cartoons and frustrated by being told what he could and could not draw. He said that he almost threw down his pen.

Now, Malaysians can rejoice because his 12-year hiatus is over, and we can again enjoy his satirical outlook on Malaysian politics.

“Give him a pen and paper, and he can create magic. Give him a screwdriver, and he probably would not know what to do with it.”

These were my observations as I helped Zunar, Malaysia’s first and only political cartoonist, set up his exhibition at the Free Word Gallery in Farringdon, London, over two weeks ago. Over 80 prints had to be framed and hung.

Zunar’s earliest memories of an interest in drawing stem from when he was seven years old.

“I cannot keep still. I must keep drawing.”

Even as we speak, he is busy doodling and sketching on pieces of paper.

In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the educational emphasis was on “sains dan teknologi”. Parents and teachers urged children to take up these subjects. There was very little encouragement for young children to take up creative arts like drawing, literature or music.

In the Zunar household, no one stopped him from drawing and his sketches were tolerated. At school, he would get into trouble for drawing graffiti on the walls. His punishment was to stay after school to wash the walls.

If drawing was responsible for getting him into conflict with his parents and teachers, it was also drawing which helped elevate him to celebrity status. At the tender age of 12, he won a cartoon competition in the newcomers’ section in the children’s magazine called “Bambino”.

The reward was to have his cartoon published in the magazine and to be given a free copy of that particular edition. The inhabitants of Kampung Durian, Sungei Tiang, Kedah, were proud to have a published cartoonist in their midst, while the students at school hero-worshipped him. From then on, everyone looked on Zunar’s artistry with awe. Little did he realise then, that his future was to become Malaysia’s foremost political cartoonist.

“I prefer to think rather than to read,” says Zunar. “A cartoon has to be composed. If I do not have a specific idea, then I will compose it in my mind first.”

He recalls his time as a teenager when he had to concentrate on his studies and drawing took a back seat. “I just drew strip cartoons and shared them with friends at school.”

Heavy political censorship

Later on, armed with a scrapbook of cartoons, the teenage Zunar would approach various magazines and draw for Gila-Gila and other local publications.

Zunar’s role model or guru was Rejabhab, who then offered him a column at Berita Harian. This satirical column, called Papa, was about a beggar and his son.

By this time, he had moved to Kuala Lumpur where he had his political awakening, and became critical of society, the treatment of the poor, and the gap between the poor and the rich. His social observations helped shape his political views which he then translated into cartoons.

When Lat took sabbatical leave from the New Straits Times, Zunar was asked to replace him. Soon, he became frustrated with being told what to draw, and contemplated retiring from drawing cartoons because he could not “give off his best”.

Zunar described the heavy political censorship in the 1980s and said he was unable to draw political and satirical cartoons. From 1986 to 1998, he hit at an all-time low and decided that there was no future in cartooning in Malaysia. He gave up drawing cartoons but continued doing illustrations for school books and teaching children in “Balai Seni Lukis” (art gallery) classes.

His advice to any would-be political cartoonist was to equip themselves with knowledge. He says, “Talent and technique are not the only important things. You must have knowledge.”

“Some people make the mistake of learning too much about several cartoonists. You become the expert in technique but it means nothing if you lack general knowledge. The cartoonist must keep ahead of the readers. You must keep abreast of the news.

“These days, one can make a good living as a cartoonist. But it’s not just about drawing. It is also about social responsibility. We have social obligations to fulfil.

“You cannot find any university courses about talent. You are born with the talent to draw. Your talent is god’s gift.

“As a cartoonist you have followers. But you cannot forget your social responsibilities. With poverty for instance, there is a big gap between the poor and rich. As a cartoonist, you must stand up and play your part to highlight this. You cannot simply keep quiet or do nothing.”

During the Reformasi era of the late 1990s, Zunar underwent another political awakening and approached Harakah to ask if he could have a cartoon column in the paper. At the time, the country was rocked by the Sodomy I trials. Malaysia’s former deputy prime minister and finance minster had been accused of sodomy. The nation was disgusted with the scenes of soiled mattresses being carried into court.

‘Why pinch when you can punch?’

Zunar’s first entry in Harakah was a depiction of the Tivoli Vilas, where the sodomy was alleged to have occurred, being transported to court in a shipping container. The readers responded positively to his depiction of the farce being played out in court.

A few months later, Zunar’s lead drawing of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a kangaroo carrying his cronies in his pouch was featured on the front cover of Harakah.

When asked what gave him satisfaction in his work, he said, “It is not the money. I am happy when readers know what I am trying to convey. I like it when people respect my work. Being consistent, sharp and funny are most important. When people like my cartoons, this means they can read my mind. They get the message. That gives me great satisfaction.”

“I am not a politician but I like politics. The more simple the cartoon, the better it is. I want people to focus, because the subject is more important.

“If there is a particular issue like corruption for instance, I must be able to make a joke and make my stand at the same time.”

Despite a government ban on seven of his books, Zunar is internationally renowned and has been honoured with the “Courage in Editorial Cartooning” award presented by the Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) body, from the US, the Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammett Award for 2011 and last year, he served as the Artist-in-Residence at the BilbaoArte/Fundacion and Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa (BBK) in Spain.

He says his motto is, “Why pinch when you can punch?”

Mariam Mokhtar is a FTM columnist

KARTUN TERBARU / LASTEST CARTOON

2012-03-07T23:27:00.002-08:00

KARTUN TERBARU / LATEST CARTOON

2012-03-06T23:21:00.001-08:00

ZUNAR'S TO FIGHT THROUGH CARTOON T-SHIRT (BLACK)

2012-03-06T22:08:00.000-08:00

Ces dessins qui, sur le Net, défient le pouvoir malaisien

2012-03-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

Report in French online newspaper - Le Monde

Reference : http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2012/03/02/ces-dessins-qui-sur-le-net-defient-le-pouvoir-malaisien_1651046_3246.html

En Malaisie, le caricaturiste Zunar n'a aucun accès aux médias traditionnels, mais ses dessins, censurés car ils dénoncent la corruption et le népotisme d'un régime au pouvoir depuis près d'un demi-siècle, trouvent asile sur le Net et les réseaux sociaux. De passage à Paris à l'invitation de Reporters sans frontières, ce quinquagénaire volubile, de son vrai nom Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, sort de sa sacoche des dizaines et des dizaines de reproductions de ses oeuvres. Ce sont ses "munitions", car, souligne-t-il, la caricature "est une arme", ce qui lui vaut d'ailleurs d'être sous la menace d'une peine de prison de trois ans pour sédition.

L'une de ses cibles favorites est Rosmah, la femme du premier ministre malaisien,Najib Razak, "une femme très puissante, plus puissante que son mari". L'affaire des sous-marins Scorpène vendus par la France à la Fédération malaise, avec des soupçons de versement d'une commission occulte, a également nourri son inspiration. Pour la technique, cet étudiant en sciences, formé sur le tas, s'est inspiré des caricaturistes américains.

A la fin des années 1990, l'affaire Anwar Ibrahim - vice-premier ministre qui s'était opposé à l'homme fort de l'époque, Mahathir Ibn Mohamad, déclenchant une crise politique - l'a engagé définitivement sur la voie de la caricature sans concession, une rareté en Malaisie, où, dit-il, "les dessinateurs étaient plutôt gentils avec les politiques. Je me suis dit qu'on ne pouvait pas rester neutre, qu'il fallait prendreposition. Ce n'était pas une situation normale, nous étions en pleine crise morale, avec beaucoup de corruption, de copinage, d'abus de pouvoir et d'atteintes aux droits de l'homme", explique-t-il. "Même mon crayon, quand je le pose dans son pot, prend position", poursuit-il.

Arrêté puis relâché

Ses attaques lui ont valu des ennuis et ses livres sont censurés. En septembre 2010, il a été arrêté par la police, peu avant la sortie du septième et dernier,Cartoon-o-phobia. Après une nuit passée dans plusieurs commissariats, une manoeuvre destinée à semer ses partisans, il a réussi à être relâché en défiant les policiers au tribunal. "Le juge a demandé à mes accusateurs s'ils avaient lu le livre. La réponse a bien évidemment été négative, puisqu'il n'avait pas encore été publié. Donc j'ai pu souligner que les poursuites n'avaient aucun fondement."

Internet et les réseaux sociaux lui permettent de contourner la censure. "61 % des 28 millions de Malaisiens utilisent Internet. Facebook et Twitter sont plus que des réseaux sociaux en Malaisie, ce sont des réseaux alternatifs, où circule l'information, comme en Egypte et en Tunisie. C'est un nouveau défi pour le gouvernement, car il a perdu le monopole." Il n'est plus seul désormais, rejoint par une dizaine de jeunes "disciples", qui se réunissent régulièrement. De manière informelle, ils ont formé un "club des caricaturistes indépendants", où il joue un rôle de "doyen".

Francois Bougon

Article published in the 03/03/12

KARTUN TERBARU / LATEST CARTOON

2012-03-04T17:41:00.001-08:00

Zunar's unlawful detention suit against police delayed.

2012-03-01T18:29:00.000-08:00

The civil suit filed by a political cartoonist Zunar against police and the government over his “unlawful detention” has been postponed to the 5th and 6th of April.

KARTUN TERBARU / LATEST CARTOON

2012-03-01T18:22:00.001-08:00

No joke: Malaysian cartoonist stands up to government

2012-02-27T17:44:00.001-08:00

CPJ Blog

Press Freedom News and Views

By Bob Dietz/CPJ Asia Program Coordinator

Reference : http://www.cpj.org/blog/2012/02/malaysian-cartoonist-zunar-stands-up-to-government.php


Zunar with copies of banned cartoon collections. (AP/Lai Seng Sin)

Tuesday marks the next step in a legal faceoff between Malaysian authorities and the well-known political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, also known as Zunar. Hearings will resume in civil lawsuit filed by Zunar that challenges the legality of his arrest and detention in September 2010. Malaysian police arrested him hours ahead of the scheduled launch of a new book of political cartoons, Cartoon-o-phobia. He was held until the next day on the accusation that his book violated the country's repressive Sedition Act. Although he was released without being formally charged, police served a search warrant at his office and seized dozens of copies of his book.

Zunar's work, exuberant and sharp, goes after all political sides. At age 50, he doesn't feel he has to spare any political figure, from former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to current Prime Minister Najib Razak to oppositionist Anwar Ibrahim. In a 2010 interview, Zunar said his inspiration comes from Thomas Nast, the 19th American cartoonist who took on the corrupt politicians of his day.

In his current lawsuit, Zunar is seeking reimbursement for loss of earnings, along with unspecified damages that he hopes will deter officials from pursuing similar cases. But in a country where it is far more common for the government to be the complainant in press cases, challenging authorities in court takes some measure of courage. At the most recent hearing, in January, the arresting officer testified that Zunar's work "could have created hatred, misunderstanding, confusion, and loss of trust."

This is not the first time Zunar has gone to court in defense of his work. In June 2010, under the Printing Presses and Publishing Act (PPPA), the Home Ministry banned severalcompilations of his cartoons. The government asserted the cartoons, many of them critical of Razak's administration, were "prejudicial to public order," according to news reports. The compilations included cartoons that appeared on the independent news website Malaysiakini from 2005 to 2009 and in Isu Dalam Kartun, a monthly magazine. Zunar and Malaysiakini filed for a judicial review, but the High Court in Kuala Lumpur upheld the ban in July 2011 and threatened to revoke printers' licenses if any dared reproduce the volumes.

Malaysian governments have long leveraged the Printing Presses and Publications Act's many arbitrary provisions, including Home Ministry discretion over the issuance of publishing permits, to stifle press freedom. In a September 2011 speech, Prime Minister Razak promised to amend the PPPA by doing away with the legal requirement for news publications to renew their publishing licenses on an annual basis. Five months later, even that modest reform has not been made into law.

Yet were that reform to be implemented, the minister of home affairs would still retain broad authority to refuse permission to publish any materials he unilaterally determines "likely to be prejudicial to public order, morality, security ... or national interest" and to revoke permits without the legal recourse of judicial review, according to the law.

Journalists may still be jailed or fined for spreading "false news" under the Printing Presses and Publication Act. And if the Sedition Act doesn't further dampen criticism, officials can also resort to the Official Secrets Act or the Internal Security Act, which carry potential jail terms for guilty convictions, to curb media criticism and encourage self-censorship among journalists.

And that leaves Zunar, seriously, contemplating his next move.

KARTUN TERBARU / LATEST CARTOON

2012-02-21T02:01:00.001-08:00

Zunar Takes His Campaign To The UK!

2012-02-19T19:23:00.000-08:00

Posted Sunday, February 19th, 2012

From SarawakReport

Reference : http://www.sarawakreport.org/2012/02/zunar-takes-his-campaign-to-the-uk/

Introducing Rosmah to Nelson's Column in Trafalagar Square

The crowds passing through ‘Malaysia’s Speakers’ Corner’ on Trafalgar Square had the pleasure of watching cartoons being created live this weekend, as the ‘notorious’ Zunar took his campaign to London.

Zunar does in Malaysia what dozens of successful cartoonists do in the UK and in other free countries, which is lampoon the political leadership. It is generally regarded as a healthy tonic to be able to make fun of your leaders and to point out their weak spots.

David Cameron probably doesn't really
like being shown as a condom.
On the other hand he knows better than to
arrest and try the cartoonist for sedition!

n the UK, David Cameron has to put up with being portrayed as condom, owning to his rather smooth and ‘baby-bottom’ features! This is an annoyance that is treated as a sign that a politician has arrived and is sensibly laughed off.

However, the BN Malaysia establishment has reacted differently. They do not like to be portrayed in anything but fawning tones, it turns out, and they have brought out all their anti-terrorist weapons of law and state to suppress Zunar.

It seems has has had far too many people in stitches over his portrayal of a government run by a mild-mannered and hen pecked husband, half the size of his corpulent and domineering wife Rosmah!

One to please Taib? Zunar has a laugh about how his younger wife at least must annoy Rosmah!

Standing trial

So it was that on the eve of publication of his latest book Zunar was arrested at his home at night by a gang of police, who seized all the copies of the book and of his earlier six books, which had equally poked fun at earlier politicians such as Badawi and Mahatir.

Walking exhibit - Zunar draped himself in
his cartoons as he posted himself outside the
Malaysian Tourist Office to draw his protest!

Zunar was then transferred through the night to seven different police lock-ups, so that protesters would not know where to find him! For the entire period he was kept in painful handcuffs.

The police then tried to hold him in remand on the grounds that he was a dangerous seditionist, threatening to overthrow the state.

The Magistrate, however, asked what was dangerous about the cartoons and the police could not answer, because they had not actually reviewed the drawings!

He was released.

However, the state (i.e. BN/UMNO) has continued with its determination to intimidate, silence and jail Zunar for mocking politicians who would rather pretend they are special and superior human beings. He faces trial next month when he returns to Malaysia.

Backfiring

Gathering to see Zunar's cartoons in Londo

As ever these bully boy, BN tactics have backfired. They have only boosted Zunar’s fame and influence, turning a cheeky cartoonist into a national figure of protest! With great courage Zunar has stuck to his guns… or rather his own particular weapon, which is an inky pen.

For the past months he has been exhibiting in Europe and now has come to London with a collection of his latest cartoons on display at an Exhibition supported by the Freedom of Speech NGO, Article 19 at the Free World Centre in Farringdon Road, London.

He launched the exhibition to a packed audience last week and told listeners that when a regime can no longer afford to be laughed at it is a regime that is waiting to fall. They laughed.

Ancient and inscrutable?

It will come as no surprise that Taib has also been an irresistible staple of Zunar’s humour. The greedy old dictator has been portrayed as a sphinx and a second Mahatir.

Same old 'progress and development'!

But, his latest cartoon has the old boy running on empty. Still spouting the same old Sixties rhetoric about progress and development, but now with Sarawak’s resources fast disappearing and without much progress for anyone else but him, he is shown as a spent force!

Malaysia: Zunar’s London exhibition,“To Fight through Cartoon” opens to a sold-out crowd

2012-02-17T01:50:00.000-08:00

From

ARTICLE 19

16 Feb 2012

Acclaimed Malaysian political cartoonist Zunar (néeZulkiflee Anwar Haque) premiered his latest exhibition, ‘To Fight Through Cartoon’, to a full house yesterday evening at the Free Word Centre in London, UK. Hosted by ARTICLE 19, the event showcased Zunar’s banned cartoons and highlighted the deteriorating state of freedom of expression in Malaysia.

Zunar’s drawings are powerful in their handling of controversial themes of public corruption, political dissent and the excessive power of the police and judiciary in his home country. As a result, his cartoons are prohibited from being published in state-controlled newspapers and all seven of his books are banned in Malaysia. The launch of his most recent publication ‘Cartoon-O-Phobia’ in September 2010 was hindered when the police stormed the event, seizing all copies of the book and unlawfully detaining him overnight. During the London exhibition launch, Zunar reassured the audience and pledged to continue drawing cartoons “until the very last drop of ink”.

The packed venue of over 100 people, including many Britain-based Malaysians, also enjoyed a lively panel discussion chaired by ARTICLE 19 Executive Director Agnès Callamard. The much-admired human rights lawyer and Malaysian civil rights activist Malik Imtiaz Sarwar offered his views on government control of opinion in Malaysia via video presentation. Clare Rewcastle Brown, a British investigative journalist and founder of Sarawak Report, also spoke passionately about the need to expose and question government wrongdoings. Zunar himself entertained the audience with anecdotes gathered throughout his 20-year-long career, including time spent in prison lock-up and the inspiration behind certain drawings. Of his personal struggle against the Malaysian government, Zunar said, “If drawing cartoons is a crime, then the fall of the regime is just a matter of time.”

This is Zunar’s first solo exhibition and is scheduled to run until Thursday, 15 March 2012 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm).

Reference : http://www.article19.org/resources.php/resource/2966/en/malaysia:-zunar%E2%80%99s-london-exhibition,%E2%80%9Cto-fight-through-cartoon%E2%80%9D-opens-to-a-sold-out-crowd

Zunar goes to London

2012-02-16T09:11:00.000-08:00

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.

Entitled “To Fight Through Cartoon”, his artwork has been divided into four categories: “Najib”, “Rosmah”, “Conspiracies against Anwar” and “General Issues”.

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.

Reference : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2012/02/16/zunar-goes-to-london/

Zunar: Getting ideas is a breeze, thanks to our politicians.

2012-02-16T09:01:00.000-08:00

by Harakah Daily / en

Feb 16: Political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque said he did not at all find it a challenge to get ideas for his works, and he has Malaysian politicians to thank for.

“It is a bit easy because I live in Malaysia. Malaysian politicians provide me ideas every day," he told a 100-strong audience who attended the launch of his latest exhibition in London yesterday.

"The Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers look very smart and intelligent, until they open their mouth. The moment they start to open their mouths, I can start open my sketch book," said the cartoonist popularly known as Zunar, replying to a question from the audience.

The crowd mingling at the exhibition (top), and (below) Zunar explains his works to visitors

Organised by Article 19, a UK-based non-governmental organisation, the event is Zunar's first solo exhibition and will run until March 13. With the theme "To Fight Through Cartoon", it boasts of 80 pieces of Zunar's works divided into four categories, one of which is dedicated to the prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Among speakers at the launch were Article 19 executive director Dr Agnes Callamard and founder of whistleblower website Sarawak Report, Clare Rewcastle Brown.

In his speech, Zunar said it was morally wrong for Malaysians to be neutral in the face of corruption and human rights abuses by the government.

"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, even my pen has a stand?" he asked, quoting his tagline.

Praise from visitors

Visitors at the exhibition said they admired Zunar's works.

“To me, Zunar is one of the two great legends in Malaysia apart from Dato’ Lat," said a Malaysian government officer, who wants to be known only as Amir, referring to well known cartoonist Mohamed Nor Khalid.

Adil (left) and Andrew

For IT manager Andrew Tynan, who said he had been hearing of Malaysian politics through friends, Zunar's cartoons complemented the information he received.

"Zunar’s cartoons are great in the sense that I could now relate the stories and understand the Malaysian politics better," he added.

Malaysian student Adil Johan, pursuing his doctoral studies in King's College, said he liked the underlying message in Zunar's cartoons.

"I have been Zunar’s fan for years. When I first saw his drawings at the exhibition, I thought he has a very strong form of artistic expression that are open to interpretation," said Adil, who said he was not afraid to attend such an event, which normally attracts Malaysian security officials on the look out for students.

Reference : http://en.harakahdaily.net/index.php/berita-utama/4406-zunar-getting-ideas-is-a-breeze-thanks-to-our-politicians.html

PHOTOS OF ZUNAR'S EXIBITION IN LONDON

2012-02-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

Picture 1 : Adil.


Picture 2 : Agnes (left), Me & Clare.


Picture 3: Andrew Tynan.


Picture 4 : "To Fight Through Cartoon" Free Word Centre, London.

Picture 5 : "To Fight Through Cartoon" Free Word Centre, London.

Picture 6 : Choosing Zunar's artworks.

Picture 7 : Giving explanations to the audience.

Picture 8 : Artworks at the exhibition.

Picture 9 : Full House.

Picture 10 : Robin

Picture 11 : Zunar & Clare

REPORT ON LAUNCHING OF ZUNAR’S EXHIBITION IN LONDON

2012-02-16T08:02:00.001-08:00

REPORT ON LAUNCHING OF ZUNAR’S EXHIBITION IN LONDON

1. EVENT: The launching of Zunar's cartoon exhibition, "To Fight Through Cartoon"

2. DATE: 15 February 2012, 6.45pm (London time)

3. VENUE: Free Word Centre, 60, Farringdon Road, London.

4. ORGANISER: Article 19, an international NGO that fights for the freedom of expression and information.

5. THE EXHIBITON: It is Zunar’s first solo exhibition. He has previously held two exhibitions with other artists in Bilbao, Spain. The 80-piece displays in the exhibition were divided into 4 categories – Najib, Rosmah, Conspiracies Against Anwar and General Issues. "To Fight Through Cartoon" will be held until 13^th of March 2012. The gallery is open for free viewing from Monday – Friday, 9am – 9pm.

6. GUEST SPEAKERS: The founder of Radio Free Sarawak and Sarawak Report, Clare Rewcastle Brown and the Executive Director of Article 19, Dr Agnes Callamard.

7. AUDIENCE: full house of about 100; professional Malaysians, Malaysian students, locals.

8. PROGRAM

i. Started with introduction and welcoming speech by the Executive Director of Article 19, Dr Agnes Callamard, followed by a speech from Zunar and video-conferencing by the Malaysian Human Rights activist, Malik Imtiaz.

ii. In his speech, Zunar said among others:

“Malaysia is facing a moral crisis and beset by corruption, abuse of power and violations of human rights. It is a duty for us to take a firm stand against the repressive regime that has ruled the country for the past 54 years.

It is morally wrong for us to keep quiet. The 13th Century poet Dante Alighieri said, the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis maintain their neutrality. 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, even my pen has a stand?

My detention under the Sedition Act shows that drawing cartoon in Malaysia is a crime. When drawing cartoon becomes a crime, a downfall of a regime is a matter of time.”

iii. In Clare’s speech, she said: “I love Zunar’s target on Rosmah and Taib (Mahmud). I commend Zunar for the courage, and for being brave and a wonderful champion. It takes brave people to bring change to weak regimes.”

9. Q&A

Answering a question from the audience, regarding how he gets ideas to draw political cartoons, Zunar said: “It is a bit easy because I live in Malaysia. Malaysian politicians provide me ideas every day. The Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers look very smart and intelligent, until they open their mouth. The moment they start to open their mouths, I can start open my sketch book.”

To another question, Zunar said: “It not necessary for everyone to join political parties as the political parties are only one part of the whole struggle. Creating more dimensions in very creative ways is very effective to fight a regime. If we are in war, it is better to have 1000 battalions consisting one soldier each compared to one battalion consisting 1000 soldiers.”

10. AUDIENCE FEEDBACKS.

i. Amir (not real name), Malaysian Government officer

“To me, Zunar is one of the two great legends in Malaysia apart for Dato’ Lat. When I got to know about the launching of the exhibition coinciding with my trip to London, I registered for the entrance. In fact, I was the first to register. I feel like I must be here and be part of the event.”

ii. Robin (with photo), Belgium computer engineer who has worked for 15 years in London

“I feel that Zunar’s cartoons are powerful because they are very effective in making the public understand more on the political issues, hence the cartoons are a threat to the government. I am also a huge cartoon fan; Zunar’s cartoons reminds me of Belgian cartoonist Joost Swarte and American Robert Crumb.”

iii. Andrenw Tyna (with photo), IT Manager in London

“I have visited Malaysia a few times and my activist friend in Malaysia has been telling me about the political situation in the country. Zunar’s cartoons are great in the sense that I could now relate the stories and understand the Malaysian politics better.”

iv. Adil Johan (with photo), doctorate student at the King’s College, London

“I am not afraid to come – I have been Zunar’s fan for years. When I first saw his drawings at the exhibition, I thought he has a very strong form of artistic expression that are open to interpretation. When I looked back carefully, the under-lying messages and the detailing revealed further. That’s what I love about his cartoons.”

Andrew Tyna

Robin

Adil Johan

KARTUN TERBARU / LASTEST CARTOON

2012-02-15T19:16:00.002-08:00

KARTUN TERBARU / LASTEST CARTOON

2012-02-12T21:10:00.001-08:00

ZUNAR :..... EVEN MY PEN HAS A STAND ! (BOOK)

2012-02-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

Dapatkan koleksi anda sebelum terlambat.
Terima kasih atas sokongan anda.

Grab one before too late.
Thanks for supporting.

ZUNAR'S TO FIGHT THROUGH CARTOON T-SHIRT

2012-02-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

Dapatkan koleksi anda sebelum terlambat.
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Limited Edition.
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Even my pen has a stand! An interview with Malaysian cartoonist Zunar

2012-02-08T07:52:00.000-08:00

Posted by Free Word on 8/2/12

Political cartoonist Zunar, whose works are banned in his native Malaysia, talks to Free Word's Tom Chivers ahead of his London exhibition To Fight Through Cartoon.

There seems to be a rise in popular cartoons, graphic novels and animated films engaging with political issues (e.g. Persepolis, Waltz with Bashir). What do you think makes the cartoon so adept at challenging the status quo?

Cartoons, with the graphical advantages, have become an effective media of communication. I am happy to see more and more cartoonists nowadays stepping forward and becoming agents of change - especially in the Middle East and Africa. For me, I am lucky to be one of those born with special talent. But I keep reminding myself that with talent comes great responsibility.

When a country faces a moral crisis, it is important for us to stand up and play a big role. As a cartoonist, it is my responsibility to be a "watch dog" and expose corruptions and wrong doings by the government. I do not agree with those who choose not to take sides. How can I be neutral? Even my pen has a stand!

Your work often tackles controversial issues in Malaysian public life such as racism, corruption and political conspiracy. Why do you think it is important to speak up about these things? What kind of problems do you face in doing so?

In Malaysia all mainstream media is controlled by the government. As a result, any important issues which are not politically in favour of the government such as corruption, racism and abuse of power are blacked out. There are so many important issues missing like conspiracy against the popular opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim with fabricated sodomy charges in order to send him to prison.

Then, the purchasing of two submarines from a French company by the Prime Minister Najib involving a personal commission of RM500 million (Euro 114 million). This scandal led to the murder of the Mongolian model, Altantuya, who worked as a translator in the deal.

Also the PM's domineering wife, who not only controls Najib’s and the government policies, but the self-proclaimed First Lady of Malaysia, (FLOM) leads an extraordinary lifestyle and likes to shop expensively using public money. And the list goes on...

My cartoons highlight these issues with an accurate perspective and information. I want the public to know the truth. Obviously the government is not happy with me – they banned seven of my books, detained me under the criminal act, they constantly raid my office and the vendors, and printing factories have been warned not to sell and print my books or their licenses will be revoked. Drawing political cartoons in Malaysia is a crime!

Can you explain the reasons behind your current legal dispute with the Malaysian government?

I am challenging the government on two separate cases: the banning of my books and the unlawful detention against me. On July 2010, upon banning my book, the government stated that the grounds was because the content of my books were "detrimental to public order and can influence the people to revolt against the leaders and government policies." I filed to challenge this and the court, as expected, threw out my petition in June 2010.

Then I filed another suit to challenge the police and the government on my detention under The Sedition Act immediately after the publishing of my new book Cartoon-O-Phobia in September 2010. For me, the detention was made under bad faith because by that time the books were not yet available in the marketplace.

I am also seeking a court order for the authorities to return all my seized books. This case is now proceeding and next session will be 28 February 2012.

I firmly maintain that a free expression of political commentary is a fundamental right for me to perform as a cartoonist.

How has the internet changed the way in which you and your artwork engage with people?

By banning my books, the government's objective is to block the public from getting access to my cartoons. But with the rapid growth of the internet, their plan has become less effective. Now more and more people can get access to my cartoons through websites, blogs, on Facebook and Twitter. And the number keeps growing.

How has the Malaysian public responded to your work?

Based on feedback I have received from fans/supporters via emails and texts, they like my work because my cartoons are funny and sharp. Most importantly, my works touch on issues that are being discussed by the public every day.

What can people attending your exhibition at the Free Word Centre expect to see?

To Fight Through Cartoon (launches 15 February) is an exhibition of more than 100 political cartoons from the past 10 years from my own satirical perspective. It documents political issues in Malaysia including racism, corruption, waste of public funds, human rights, the BERSIH protest, the judiciary and the police, to name a few. I hope this exhibition will create more awareness about the political and human rights situation in Malaysia.

Photo by AP

Zunar (Zulkiflee Anwar Haque) has been drawing editorial cartoons for the past 20 years in Malaysia. Zunar uses his pen as a weapon to fight state corruption and abuse of power. He has turned the spotlight on local public-interest issues such as the unsolved murder of a Mongolian woman, the political conspiracy against the former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the domineering wife of the present Prime Minister, and the shady Scorpene submarine purchases that are now being investigated in France.

He started acquiring a reputation as a no-holds-barred cartoonist during the “Reformation” period in Malaysia. Sparked by the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim, the people’s uprising provided him much fodder for comment through his cartoons. The government-controlled national newspapers have blacked-out his cartoons since then and he has to resort to publishing them online. The country’s leading source of independent news and views, Malaysiakini.com, publishes his cartoons on a regular basis.

zunar49@gmail.com

Reference: http://www.freewordonline.com/content/2012/02/even-my-pen-has-a-stand-an-interview-with-malaysian-cartoonist-zunar/

KARTUN TERBARU / LASTEST CARTOON

2012-02-07T21:43:00.001-08:00

KARTUN TERBARU / LASTEST CARTOON

2012-02-07T00:39:00.001-08:00

ZUNAR'S BIODATA

2012-02-05T22:46:00.000-08:00

ZUNAR or his real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Haque has been drawing editorial cartoons for the past 20 years in Malaysia.

ZUNAR uses his drawing pen as a weapon to fight state corruption and abuse of power. He has turned the spotlight on local public-interest issues such as the politically explosive (literally!) and unsolved murder of a Mongolianwoman, the political conspiracy against the former-deputy-prime-minister-turned-Opposition-Leader Anwar Ibrahim, the domineering wife of the present prime minister, and the shady Scorpene submarine purchases that are now being investigated in France.

He started acquiring a reputation as a critical, no-holds-barred cartoonist during the “Reformation” period in Malaysia. Sparked by the sacking of the then deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, which shocked and arrested the nation, the people’s uprising provided him much fodder for ‘comment’ through his cartoons.

Unsurprisingly, the government-controlled national newspapers have blacked-out his cartoons since and he has to resort to publishing them online. On the bright side, no less than the country’s leading source of independent news and views, Malaysiakini.com, is publishing them on a regular basis.

PHILOSOPHY

ZUNAR holds that when one's country is facing a moral crisis and beset by corruption, abuse of power and violations of human rights, then it is one's duty to take a firm stand against those responsible for it.

As a cartoonist, Zunar feels compelled to show this stand in his work. There are no two ways to it: He must take the risk of fighting for change. Drawing cartoons, to him, becomes a fight for justice. As he puts it, "How can I be neutral, when even my pen has a stand?"

He aims to use cartoons as a weapon to fight corruption and abuse of power of the Malaysian government.

His philosophy is clear: In order to make an impact, we must do what must be done to the fullest. His method is to criticise the most powerful leaders in the hardest of ways.

In his words again: "Why pinch when you can punch?!"

In person, he is as straight-talking as he is in his cartoons. Possessing no false modesty, he considers himself one of the best editorial cartoonists in Malaysia. Indeed, the truth of his claim can be gleaned from how the government ignores him as an artist – he is still persona non grata to the mainstream media despite the international awards he has been winning recently –but constantly harasses him for what he draws.

He has been arrested and briefly detained for drawing cartoons that challenged official views. While detained, he was treated a criminal and put in the same cell with drug abusers and robbers.

Seven of his books are banned by the Malaysian government, his office has been raided twice by enforcers, the printing factories that print his books are constantly raided and vendors throughout the country are often warned not to sell his books.

Below isa summary of the challenges he has faced throughout his career:

“GEDUNG KARTUN” RAID

1. On September 2009, eight officers from the Home Ministry raided his office and confiscated 408 copies of his cartoon magazine, “Gedung Kartun” (Cartoon Store).

2. He was investigated under the Printing Presses and Publications Act, 1984 (PPPA).

3. The government also threatened to charge him under the PPPA, which carries a prison term of up to 3 years ora maximum fine of RM20,000 (approximately USD6,280).

4. Government officials also raided the printing factory and seized the plates.

5. The factory was warned not to print his books in future, or risk having its printing licence revoked.

6. The Home Ministry officials also confiscated “Gedung Kartun” from vendors throughout the country and warned them not to sell his books in future.

7. “Gedung Kartun” was banned thereafter.

8. The loss he incurred was estimated to be around RM10,000 (USD3,000).

“1 FUNNY MALAYSIA”, “PERAK DARUL KARTUN”(PERAK, LAND OF CARTOON) AND“ISU DALAM KARTUN” (ISSUES IN CARTOON) BAN

1. On June 2010, the Malaysian goverment announced the ban on five of his political cartoon publications. The ban was made under the PPPA. The books are:

a. “1 Funny Malaysia”

b. “Perak Darul Kartun”

c. “Isu Dalam Kartun vol 1”

d. “Isu Dalam Kartun vol 2”

e. “Isu Dalam Kartun vol 3”

2. The government claimed that his cartoons "can influence the people to revolt against the leaders and government policies and are detrimental to public order" as a ground for the ban.

3. This resulted in vendors withdrawing all the books and returning them to ZUNAR. The loss incurred was about RM80,000 (USD25,000).

“CARTOON-O-PHOBIA” LIMBO

1. On 24 September 2010, ten policemen raided his office in Kuala Lumpur, just four hours before the launch of his new cartoon collection, “Cartoon-O-Phobia”.

He was arrested, detained and locked up for two days under the draconian Sedition Act 1948, which provides fora maximum penalty of three years of imprisonment.

Sixty-six copies of “Cartoon-O-Phobia” and one of the original editorial cartoons meant for the launch were confiscated. All these materials are still in police custody.

2. At the same time, 30 other policemen raided two separate printing factories and warned them not to print his books in the future, or risk having their printing licences revoked.

Police also went to the publisher, Malaysiakini, to search for the remaining stock.

As a result of this intimidation, “Cartoon-O-Phobia” cannot be sold openly. Vendors fear the risk of being charged under the Sedition Act by the government. ZUNAR had to survive on online sales, which has a limited market.

COURT BATTLE

ZUNAR has vowed to continue drawing to expose corrupt practices of the Malaysian government as well as fundamental key issues such as abuse of power, police brutality, violation of human rights and misuse of public funds.

1. July 2010, he filed a suit against the Malaysian government to challenge the banning of his books,“1Funny Malaysia”, “Perak Darul Kartun” and three volumes of “Isu Dalam Kartun”. In the suit, he sought the court to declare that the ban was illegal and an infringement to the rights of free speech guaranteed by the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

The ban also breached the rules of natural justice and was mala fide. However, the suit was rejected by the court on 14 July 2011.

2. June 2011, he filed another suit to challenge the Malaysian government for unlawfully detaining him on 24 September 2010.

ZUNAR claims that the whole arrest and detention process reeked of bad faith and was politically motivated.

This suit aims to bring into focus the constitutional and human rights arguments, the police’s excessive powers and abuse, illiberal and outdated laws like the Sedition Act and the PPPA, and the collusion between the government and the police.

The court has yet to set a trial date for this suit.

PUBLICATIONS

1. Cartoon on Tun

2. 1 Funny Malaysia (banned)

3. Cartoon-O-Phobia (banned)

4. Even My Pen Has A Stand

5. Gedung Kartun (Cartoon Store) (banned)

6. Perak Darul Kartun (Perak, Land of Cartoon) (banned)

7. Isu Dalam Kartun Vol I (Issues in Cartoon) (banned)

8. Isu Dalam Kartun Vol II (Issues in Cartoon) (banned)

9. Isu Dalam Kartun Vol III (Issues in Cartoon) (banned)

AWARDS:

1. “Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award 2011” by Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI).

2. Artist-in-Residence 2011 by BilbaoArte/Fundacion and BBK, Spain.

3. Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammett Award for 2011.

Malaysian Cartoonist Takes Fight to London

2012-02-04T06:06:00.000-08:00

Malaysian cartoonist Zunar holds copies of his comic books that have been
banned by the Malaysian Home Ministry in Kuala Lumpur in June 2010.

By Shibani Mahtani

The Wall Street Journal

Sourtheast Asia Realtime

Malaysian cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, better known by his pen name Zunar, has a message for his government – watch out, the world will soon be laughing at you.

Mr. Zulkiflee has been detained, has had his office raided and books banned, and is currently fighting a legal battle with the Malaysian government. More than 6, 000 miles away, though, visitors to a gallery in London will have unfettered access to his work – which takes a stab at everyone from the Prime Minister’s wife to Malaysia’s judiciary – when the 49-year-old holds his first solo exhibition next month.

“I am very happy my work is being recognized internationally,” Mr. Zulkiflee said in a telephone interview with The Wall Street Journal. “It sends a message to [the Malaysian government] that people are watching [them].”

About 80 of his cartoons will be displayed for a month from Feb. 15 at a gallery in London’s East End under the theme “To Fight Through Cartoon.” A veteran of Malaysia’s dissident scene – and one of the few satirists willing to take open shots at the government – Mr. Zulkiflee says he hopes his visual medium will make the issues of “abuse of power, corruption and human rights violations” in Malaysia more accessible and understandable to audiences outside the country’s borders.

In late 2010, Mr. Zulkiflee was arrested on a sedition charge hours before his latest book, ‘Even My Pen Has a Stand,” was due to be launched. The book was never launched, and joins the rest of his books in being banned across Malaysia. The police said he was in violation of the Printing and Publishing Act, which regulates newspapers, because he didn’t have an appropriate license to publish.

The cartoonist – adamant that the charges were politically motivated – has brought a lawsuit against the government, saying that his books were unfairly confiscated and he was detained without reason. The government deems his books “detrimental to public order.”

Despite Malaysian courts’ high-profile decision to clear the country’s opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, of sodomy charges last week, Mr. Zulkiflee says he remains pessimistic about his own judicial battles. he cartoonist challenged the government last year on the banning of his books, but lost initial hearings on the case.

“The judgment of Anwar is a one-off case, it was a political case,” Mr. Zulkiflee said.

Prime Minister Najib Razak in recent months has attempted to burnish his reputation as a reformer, most obviously by repealing feared Internal Security Act laws allowing for detention without trial and relaxing curbs on media freedom. Many political analysts also argue that Mr. Anwar’s acquittal proves Mr. Najib’s commitment to an independent judiciary in his country.

Still, Mr. Zulkiflee remains pessimistic. He says it is not these top-down adjustments that give him hope, but rather the lack of controls around the internet in Malaysia, which he says allows him and his counterparts to get their own message out.

“In Malaysia, Facebook and Twitter is not just a social network, but the alternative network,” he said. Though Mr. Zulkiflee’s books are banned, they can be ordered online and are available through the internet and on the website of Malaysiakini, the local newspaper he draws for.

More than half the country’s population is on the Internet, allowing them to circumvent stricter laws for the printed press cemented by Malaysia’s Printing Presses and Publications Act. “The government cannot control the media anymore,” he said.

Zunar’s cartoons will be on display at the Free Word Center, 60 Farringdon Road, London, from Feb. 15.

Reference: http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2012/01/18/malaysian-cartoonist-takes-fight-to-london/?mod=google_news_blog

KARTUN TERBARU / LATEST CARTOON

2012-02-02T21:15:00.002-08:00

KARTUN TERBARU / LASTEST CARTOON

2012-01-30T22:12:00.002-08:00

KARTUN TERBARU / LATEST CARTOON

2012-01-27T00:05:00.003-08:00

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ZUNAR’S CARTOON EXHIBITION IN LONDON/ PENGUMUMAN PAMERAN KARTUN ZUNAR DI LONDON

2012-01-16T17:57:00.000-08:00

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ZUNAR’S CARTOON EXHIBITION IN LONDON

I would like to announce that I will be holding a month-long exhibition of political cartoons in London on next February with the theme “To Fight Through Cartoons”.

I will be displaying 80 of my works that touch on issues such as politics, corruption, abuse of power and violations of human rights in Malaysia. The focus would on the conspiracy against Anwar Ibrahim, the corruption in the Scorpene Scandal, the murder of Altantuya, the National Feedlot Corporation (NFL), issues surrounding the Prime Minister’s wife, BERSIH, Sarawak, to mention a few.

It will be organized by Article 19, an international NGO that fights for the freedom of expression and information, and is assisted by Malaysians in the United Kingdom who are affiliated under the Friends of Pakatan Rakyat.

The launching will be held on the 15th February 2012 at the venue of the exhibition, the Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road. It will be inaugurated by the founder of Radio Free Sarawak and Sarawak Report, Clare Rewcastle Brown. The President of the National Association of Human Rights (Hakam), Malik Imtiaz Sarwar will also be giving a speech in the event.

According to the letter of invitation by the organizers, tickets for the event are limited and it is based on ‘first come, first served’. Tickets can be booked from now until the 3rd February 2012. The public, especially those living in the United Kingdom, can book the tickets through this link http://article19zunar.eventbrite.com/ or email sonya@article19.org.

The theme "Fighting Through Cartoons" was selected based on the restraints and pressure from the Malaysian government that have been imposed on me and my political cartoons. In July 2010, the government banned seven of my cartoon books on the grounds that my books were detrimental to public order. Apart from that, my office in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur was often invaded by the authorities and my books taken.

The printers were threatened not to print my books or lose their printing license; as were bookshops across the country being warned not to sell my books. On the 24th September 2010, I was arrested and locked-up under the Sedition Act, but was then acquitted under the instruction of the court.

I am suing the government for what was in my view an unlawful arrest. The hearing of the case will be on the 18th January 2012 at the Kuala Lumpur court.

“To Fight Through Cartoons” will be my first solo exhibition throughout the 30 years I have cartooning. Prior to this, I have held two exhibitions with other artists in Bilbao, Spain at the end of last year.

Reference:

Rujukan:

* In July 2011, the Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI), USA had conferred the "Courage in Editorial Cartooning" award to Zunar.

* In October 2011, Zunar had participated in a three-month "Art and Censorship" program organized by the BilbaoArte/Fundacion BBK in Bilbao, Spain.

**************************************

PENGUMUMAN PAMERAN KARTUN ZUNAR DI LONDON

Adalah diumumkan saya akan mengadakan pameran kartun-kartun politik di London pada bulan Februari depan bertemakan "To Fight Through Cartoon" (Berjuang Melalui Kartun) dan akan berlangsung selama sebulan di situ.

Sebanyak 80 karya-karya kartun yang menyentuh isu politik, rasuah, penyalahgunaan kuasa serta pelanggaran hak asasi di Malaysia akan dipamerkan. Antara isu yang difokus ialah Konspirasi terhadap Anwar Ibrahim, IsuRasuah dalam skandal Scorpene, Isu pembunuhan Altantuya, Isu NFL, Isu isteri Perdana Menteri, Bersih, Sarawak dan sebagainya. Ia dianjurkan oleh sebuah NGO antarabangsa, Artikel 19 yang memperjuangkan kebebasan bersuara serta informasi dan dibantu oleh rakyat Malaysia di United Kingdom yang bergabung di bawah Rakan Pakatan Rakyat.

Majlis pelancaran akan diadakan di venue pameran tersebut iaitu di Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road pada 15 Februari dan akan dirasmikan oleh pengasas Sarawak Report dan Radio Free Sarawak Clare Rewcastle Brown. Selain saya sendiri, turut berucap di majlis tersebut nanti ialah Presiden Persatuan Kebangsaan Hak Asasi Manusia (HAKAM), Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.

Menurut surat jemputan oleh pihak penganjur, tiket untuk majlis tersebut adalah terhad dan ia berdasarkan siapa dulu dia dapat dan boleh ditempah dari sekarang hingga 3 Februari. Kepada oarng ramai, terutama yang tinggaldi United Kingdom boleh menempah tiket melalui link ini http://article19zunar.eventbrite.com/ atau email kepada sonya@article19.org.

Tema "Berjuang Melalui Kartun"dipilih kerana kartun-kartun politik saya mendapat kekangan dan tekanan dari pemerintah Malaysia. Pada Julai 2010, kerajaan mengharamkan tujuh buku-buku kartun saya dengan alasan kandungannya menjejas ketenteraman awam. Selain tu, pejabat saya di Brickfeilds, Kuala Lumpur sering diserbu pihak berkuasa dan buku-buku saya selalu dirampas.

Kilang pencetak diugut agar tidak mencetak buku saya atau kehilangan lesen dan kedai-kedai di seluruh negara juga diberi amaran agar tidak menjual buku-buku saya. Pada September 2010, saya ditangkap dan dimasukkan ke dalam lokap di bawah Akta Hasutan namun dibebaskan atas arahan mahkamah.

Saya sekarang sedang menyaman kerajaan atas tangkapan tersebut yang pada pandangan saya salah dari segi undang-undang dan kes akan mula didengar pada 18 Januari depan di mahkamah Kuala Lumpur. To Fight Through Cartoon (Berjuang Melalui Kartun) adalah pameran solo saya pertama saya sepanjang 30 tahun berkarya. Sebelum ini pada akhir tahun lepas, saya juga mengadakan dua pameran bersama artis-artis yang lain di Bilbao, Sepanyol.

Rujukan:
* Pada Julai tahun lepas, Rangkaian Hak Asasi Kartunis Antarabangsa (CRNI) memberi anugerah "Courage in
Editorial Cartooning"(Keberanian Dalam Melukis Kartun Editorial) kepada Zunar.
* Pada Oktober tahun lepas, Zunar dipilih menyertai program tiga bulan "Seni dan Penapisan" anjuran Yayasan
BilbaoArte Sepanyol.

Majlis di Istana dan hipokrasi menteri

2012-01-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

(Terlebih dulu perlu dijelaskan, orang yang menceritakan peristiwa ini kepada saya minta dirahsiakan, tetapi saya berkata kenapa tidak didedah supaya rakyat tahu hipokrasi pemimpin Umno/BN. Sebagai jalan keluar saya berjanji untuk merahsiakan nama).

Dalam majlis di Istana Negara menyambut Agong yang baru, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dijemput sebagai Ketua Pembangkang. Anwar hadir bersama isteri Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Ismail. Turut hadir dalam majlis tersebut ialah menteri-menteri kabinet, semua ketua-ketua tertinggi jabatan kerajaan, semua ketua-ketua tertinggi institusi pendakwaan serta para hakim.

Sementara Agong belum tiba, seorang ketua jabatan pendakwaan mengaku kepada Anwar bahawa dia tidak terlibat dalam kes baru ini (merujuk pertuduhan liwat). Kata Anwar: "You jangan bohong, menurut Datuk ........, you yang beria-ia sangat nak dakwa saya. "Tidak Datuk Seri, masa kes sampai ke tangan saya, saya nampak ia memang longgar dan tak berasas, tapi saya terima arahan (pihak atasan)."

Seorang menteri kanan kemudian datang menyapa, "Apa khabar adinda ku Anwar?". Kata Anwar, "Apa adinda, hari-hari U bantai I, ....." Dua lagi menteri kanan portfolio penting juga datang menyapa.

Seorang Menteri Besar negeri Umno datang menyapa dan bertanya khabar, Anwar berkata di sini u buat baik, kenapa I pergi ceramah di ........, u padam lampu. Jawabnya, "bukan saya beri arahan, saya tak terlibat."

Isteri Menteri Besar tersebut tegur Anwar, "Datuk Seri, U nampak berseri dan segak, tak seperti dalam TV, surat khabar, nampak sakit dan lemah. Azizah mencelah, "Memang la, surat khabar, TV Umno memang nak tunjukkan Anwar lemah."

Bebarapa ketua jabatan kerajaan meminta untuk bergambar dengan Anwar, termasuk Ketua.......

Seorang hakim kanan berkata kepada Anwar, "Saya sungguh jelak tengok perangai menteri-menteri tersebut, macam-macam mereka lakukan terhadap Datuk Seri, tapi hari ini semua nak tunjuk baik."

Alahai PDRM

2012-01-03T14:06:00.001-08:00

Selamat Datang 2012

2012-01-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

Fitnah ciptaan Najib, Mahathir adalah virus pelumpuh harga diri rakyat

2011-12-30T16:30:00.000-08:00

"Maka lahirkan professor kangkung tanpa ilmu, golongan agama yang sanggup mencuri wang zakat, mereka yang bersumpah dalam masjid untuk menghalalkan fitnah, pengarang-pengarang media yang melacurkan etika kewartawanan, menteri yang korup, hakim yang menginjak hukum, polis yang jadi kuda tungangan penguasa, mahasiswa seperti robot "

Selama 54 tahun memerintah, Umno/Barisan Nasional telah berjaya melahirkan dua tokoh pemfitnah besar dalam sejarah, iaitu Mahathir Mohamad dan Najib Razak. Demi nafsu serakah untuk mengekalkan kuasa, kedua-kedua mereka mengamalkan ajaran Nicollo Machiavelli, iaitu 'matlamat menghalalkan cara' dengan memfitnah Anwar Ibrahim melakukan liwat walau tanpa saksi.

Machiavell dalam suratnya kepada Lorenzo de’ Medici pada pertengahan abad ke 16, menekankan pentingnya seseorang penguasa mengekalkan kuasa dengan meminggirkan eitka dan keadilan.Pemikiran Machiavell bertentangan dengan prinsip Islam yang menekankan keadilan sebagai teras utama membangun sebuah negara.

Dalam kedua-dua tuduhan ke atas Anwar, pada tahun 1999 dan sekarang, tidak ada seorang pun saksi berwibawa yang dikemukakan oleh Mahathir dan Najib itu melainkan pengakuan tertuduh yang sangat meragukan. Dalam konspirasi pertama, saksi utama Azizan ABu Bakar terang-terangan dalam mahkamah menyatakan semua tuduhan dan tarikh yang disebut adalah rekaan, lihat semula rekod mahkamah ketika Azizan dioal balas oleh peguam Fernando.

Fernando: Adakah kamu memberitahu polis bahawa kamu diliwat pada tahun 1994?
Azizan: Tidak.
Fernando: Siapa merekacipta keterangan ini?
Azizan: Saya tak tahu.
Fernando: Adakah kamu memberitahu polis bahawa kamu diliwat pada tahun 1992?
Azizan: Tidak.
Fernando: Siapa merekacipta keterangan ini?
Azizan: Saya tak tahu.
Fernando: Tarikh 1992 adalah palsu?
Azizan: Ya
Fernando: Saya katakan kepada kamu tarikh pertuduhan dipinda kepada 1993 sebab bangunan (Tivoli Villa) belum siap untuk diduduki?
Azizan: Saya tak tahu.
Fernando: Adakah anda setuju dengan cadangan saya tadi?
Azizan: Ya.
Fernando: Siapa yang menyuruh anda menukar tarikh kepada 1993?
Azizan: SAC1 Musa bin Hassan (Pegawai Penyiasat ketika itu sebelum dinaikkan pangkat ke Ketua Polis Negara, kini bersara).

Namun, Anwar tetap dijatuhkan hukuman kerana itulah matlamat tokoh-tokoh durjana yang mahu memenjarakan beliau melalui fitnah ini. Begitu juga yang akan berlaku dalam kes sekarang. Tertuduh pertama, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan menyembunyikan laporan polis beliau sendiri kerana ia jelas bertentangan dengan pengakuannya dalam mahkamah, dalam erti kata lain, dia berbohong. Dan kita tidak percaya hakim dalam kes ini yang telah dikembirikan akan berlaku adil.

Mahathir dan Najib enggan hadir ke mahkamah untuk membuktikan tuduhan mereka. Sebaliknya menyebarluaskan fitnah melalui media eletronik dan teknologi IT lalu mencanangnya kepada 6500 juta warga dunia. Ia juga disebarkan melalui akhbar dan TV kepada 30 juta rakyat Malaysia dari kota hingga ke pendalaman.

Manakala bagi melegalisasikan plot jahat ini, kedua-dua "Bapa Fitnah" ini mengheret seluruh institusi penguatkuasa - hakim, Peguam Negara, Polis, termasuk juga media, saksi-saksi yang dipaksa seperti para doktor, pegawai bawahan polis dan pegawai kerajaan untuk bersekongkol.

Seluruh jabatan kerajaan, institusi pendidikan, institusi masyarakat, institusi keagamaan, institusi penerangan dikerahkan untuk bersama-sama menyokong dan menyebarluaskan fitnah ini ke seluruh lapisan masyarakat.
Kesannya, fitnah terhadap Anwar bukan saja menzalimi mantan Timbalan Perdana itu dan keluarganya sahaja, tetapi juga turut memporak peranda seluruh rakyat Malaysia.

Rakyat Malaysia terpecah kepada dua golongan. Golongan penyokong fitnah dan golongan penentang yang ditekan. Golongan penyokong fitnah bercirikan manusia-manusia tanpa jati diri, tanpa akal sihat dan tanpa menghormati peradaban.

Maka lahirkan professor kangkung tanpa ilmu, golongan agama yang sanggup mencuri wang zakat, mereka yang bersumpah dalam masjid untuk menghalalkan fitnah, pengarang-pengarang media yang melacurkan etika kewartawanan, menteri yang korup, hakim yang menginjak hukum, polis yang jadi kuda tungangan penguasa, mahasiswa seperti robot dan sebagainya.

Manakala golongan yang menentang fitnah ditekan, undang-undang draconian terus dicipta, peraturan-peraturan zalim terus diperkenalkan bagi menghalang mereka berfikir dan bersuara. Hasilnya, rakyat hidup dalam keresahan, hilang kemampuan akal sihat, hilang jati diri dan martabat sebagai insan. Fikiran mereka diracuni virus paling berbahaya, iaitu fitnah dan lebih celaka ia dicipta oleh pemimpin mereka sendiri.

Rakyat tanpa jati diri adalah mayat hidup, yang berjalan tanpa arah dan tujuan serta mudah diperkudakan penguasa. Fenomena ini akan menjurus Malaysia ke arah kehancuran. Jika mereka mencipta virus, Najib dan Mahathir bukanlah pemimpin yang wajar dihormati, sebaliknya adalah makhluk perosak dan perlu disingkir demi menyelamatkan Malaysia.

Tribute kepada Franky S, sang pencinta alam

2011-12-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

Tahun 2011 secara peribadi saya kehilangan seorang tokoh besar dalam dunia seni, iaitu penyanyi Indonesia, Franky Sahilatua, 57 yang meninggal dunia. Franky Hubert Sahilatua atau Franky S tidak dikenali di Malaysia, tetapi saya akan huraikan kenapa dia sangat istimewa di pandangan mata saya sebagai seorang peminat.

Dalam 40 tahun berkarya, Franky telah menghasilkan lebih kurang 30 album, kebanyakannya duet bersama adiknya, Jane. Secara umumnya lirik lagu-lagu Franky terbahagi kepada tiga kategori; kehidupan marhaen, kritik sosial dan kecintaan kepada alam sekitar, disamping lagu-lagu cinta.

Kehidupan marhaen dan kritik sosial tidaklah asing bagi mereka yang meminati lagu-lagu Indonesia kerana ia biasa didengar dalam lagu-lagu Iwan Fals, Leo Christy, Gombloh atau Ebiet G Ade. Kerana itu, rencana ini akan menyentuh satu aspek lain yang sangat istimewa dari penyanyi kelahiran Surabaya ini -- kecintaan kepada alam sekitar.

Franky adalah satu-satunya penyanyi yang begitu komited membicarakan alam sekitar dalam lagu-lagunya berbanding penyanyi-penyanyi lain. (Saya hanya membanding dengan penyanyi-penyanyi nusantara, kerana saya tidak meminati lagu-lagu Inggeris). Ya, penyanyi-penyanyi lain juga menceritakan tentang alam, tetapi kebanyakannya alam digambarkan sebagai latar belakang menghiasi tema cinta atau ada juga yang menghasilkan tema alam sekitar untuk satu album, kemudian kembali semula ke tema biasa.

Franky berbeza, dalam lagunya alam adalah subjek, bukan hanya hadir sebagai objek. Dia konsisten, bukan hanya pada satu album tapi sepanjang kariernya. Lagu-lagunya menyentuh keperihatinan, kecintaan dan kepekaan terhadap tumbuhan, hutan, bunga, sungai, bukit, gunung, perladangan dan sebagainya.

Lihat sahaja puluhan tajuk lagu-lagunya seperti seperti Musim Bunga, Menyambut Musim Petik, Malam di Gunung, Lambaian Perdu, Kepada Angin dan Burung-burung, Panen Telah Datang, Pemetik Daun Jati, Orang-orang Bukit.

Begitu juga lagu Kubis Kacang Kentang Jauh Disana, Siti Julaika Buruh Pabrik Gula, Nyanyian Hutan Pagi, Diatas Viaduk Cikapundung, Di atas 7000 Ribu Kaki, Pada Bukit Pedesaan, Ketika Alam Murka, Di Kaki Gunung dan sebagainya.

Lagu "Di atas 7000 Ribu Kaki" contohnya mengisahkan perihal pendakian untuk mendapat sejenis bunga, iaitu Edelweiss yang hanya hidup di atas ketinggian tanah 7000 kaki. Lagu Menyambut Musim Petik menggambarkan suasana riang dalam sebuah kampung ketika menyambut musim menuai. Senikatanya: "Berjalan membawa pulang, hasil ladang mereka, terasa lega di hati, tak ada bencana di musim ini.."

Lagu "Malam di Gunung" memberi ingatan kepada manusia yang sering menzalimi alam dengan rangkap: "Janganlah kau merosak rimbun pepohonan, biar semua itu seperti adanya, agar kita semua bisa menikmati." Lagu Musim Bunga" "Ramai-ramai perempuan desa, dengan keranjang di atas kepala, Burung-burung yang berkicauan, menemani mereka memetik bunga."

Pada lagu Lambaian Perdu dia merakam senario di kampungnya setelah baru pulang dari kota: "Berdiri di pinggir kali, memandang bukit berbaris, ...lambaian-lambaian perdu, kerbau-kerbau rebahan..."

Di atas adalah sebahagian contoh senikata dari sebahagian banyak lagu-lagu beliau. Saya tidak pernah melihat senikata mengenai keakraban alam yang begini mendalam dalam lagu dari penyanyi lain.

Pemergiannya di Rumah Sakit Medika Permata Hijau, Jakarta Barat pada 20 April meninggalkan titik kosong dalam ruang musik di hati saya kerana lagu-lagunya sangat terkesan. Pada saya, lagu-lagu Franky bukan sekadar menghibur, tetapi ia pengisi jiwa.

Franky meninggal setelah setahun melawan sakit barah sum-sum tulang. Saya sedikit kesal kerana menangguh-nangguh lawatan untuk menziarahi beliau ketika dirawat di Singapura kerana itu tak sempat bertemu dia. Sebelum itu, ketika dia masih sihat, saya sempat berhubung dan berchating dengan dia dalam facebook dan sudah mengatur rencana untuk bertemu beliau di Jakarta, tetapi tidak kesampaian kerana Tuhan lebih menyayangi dia.

Selamat tinggal Franky, lagu-lagu mu tetap subur menghijau dan penuh warna seperti musim bunga di hati ku.

KARTUN TERBARU / LASTEST CARTOON

2011-12-27T09:47:00.002-08:00

Manipulasi masa adalah korupsi dalam sistem keadilan

2011-12-23T07:03:00.000-08:00

Dalam istilah undang-undang, sering diutarakan hujah mengenai "Justice delayed is justice denied" (keadilan yang dilengah adalah keadilan yang dinafi) dan "Justice Hurried is Buried" (keadilan yang terburu-buru adalah keadilan yang dibenamkan).

Kedua-dua hujah ini menekan bahawakeadilan tidak ditentukan oleh faktor masa, tetapi hendaklah berdasarkan undang-undang yang adil.

Di Malaysia, bukan saja hukum sering tidak adil, ia sering dizalimkan lagi dengan manipulasi masa.
Bekas Menteri Besar Selangor, Khir Toyo didakwa atas dakwaan yang telah diringankan bagi menyelamatkan beliau. Masa yang dipilih untuk memutuskan kes ini ialah menjelang cuti umum selama tiga hari, iaitu cuti hari Krismas yang dicantumkan dengan cuti hari minggu.

23 Disember sengaja dipilih ketika rakyat sedang bercuti penjang supaya mereka tidak sempat menganalisa kes ini dan dengan itu menyelamatkan sendiwara politik pemerintah.

Kita lihat lagi, Eric Chia dan Kasitah Gaddam didakwa menjelang PRU 2004 bertujuan memperlihatkan kononnya kerajaan bersungguh dalam menangani rasuah untuk kepentingan kempen, sedangkan kesalahan tersebut dilakukan berpuluh tahun sebelum itu. Dan beberapa tahun selepas PRU, mereka dibebaskan.

Pada tahun 1999, Marina Yusoff yang sedang popular dikalangan penyokong reformasi ketika itu didakwa atas Akta Hasutan, dan masa yang dipilih ialah pada hari raya ketiga bertujuan mengelak perhimpunan bagi menyokong beliau kerana kebanyakan rakyat ketika itu sedang bercuti.

Sebelum Anwar Ibrahim dibebaskan pada tahun 2004, beliau telah dimaklumkan beberapa bulan sebelum itu oleh 'orang-orang yang rapat' kepada Perdana Menteri bahawa beliau akan dibebaskan, tetapi masanya selepas PRU bagi mengelakkan beliau berkempen.

Kes terbaru Anwar diabicarakan secara tergesa-gesa dan dipercepat supaya hukuman dapat dijatuhkan sebelum Parlimen dibubar oleh Perdana Menteri untuk dijadikan bahan kempen oleh Umno/Barisan Nasional dalam PRU 13.

Dalam rancangan membebaskan dua katak Perak, Mohd Osman Jailu dan Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi sebagai habuan melompat, masa yang dipilih ialah ketika orang sibuk berkempen pilihanraya Sarawak.

Diatas adalah contoh kecil dari senarai panjang betapa pihak pemerintah menginjak hukum dan memanipulasi masa bagi kepentingan politik mereka. Semua ini terhasil dengan kerjasama hakim, Peguam Negara dan Polis dan media pengampu. Mereka yang enggan menurut skrip ini akan menerima padah.

Hakim KN Sagara ditukar apabila beliau tidak tunduk permintaan peguam kerajaan untuk mempercepatkan kes Altantuya tanpa alasan wajar. Mempercepat kes Altantuya adalah satu rancangan bagi membebaskan Razak Baginda lebih awal. Dan hakim yang menggantikan beliau apabila menuruti skrip ini diberi gelaran Datuk!

Berapa ramai orang yang telah selesai menjalani hukuman terpaksa merengkok lebih lama kerana manipulasi masa seperti ini? Berapa ramai orang yang tidak bersalah dipenjarakan dan orang bersalah dibebaskan kerana skrip politik penguasa?

Bagaimanapun tekanan penguasa, keputusan terletak ditangan hakim, kerana hakimlah yang menentukan sesuatu hukuman. Mementik kata-kata sarkastik Lord Denning (terjemahan): "Berikan sebaris ayat yang ditulis oleh seorang yang paling jujur, dan hakim boleh mencari sesuatu disebalik tulisan untuk untuk menggantung beliau."

Hakim yang menjadi perkakas penguasa sebenarnya bertanggungjawab mengikis kelayakan mahkamah sebagai sebuah institusi berdaulat Merekalah sebenarnya yang menghina mahkamah. Hakim-hakim seperti ini akan dihumban dalam tong sampah sejarah bersama penguasa yang menunggang mereka.

Saya terharu dan sangat berbangga dapat berjumpa dengan Hakim Kamil Awang yang datang ke program bertemu peminat di Amcorp Mall akhir September lepas.

Akhir kalam, tidak lupa sanjungan untuk hakim yang tegas mempertahan undang-undang seperti Salleh Abas, Suffian Hashim, Azmi Kamaruddin, Eusoffe Abdoolcader, Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh, Wan Suleiman Pawanteh, Harun Hashim, George Seah, KN Sagara, Sheikh Daud Ismai, Hishamuddin Yunus, Linton Albert, Kamil Awang, SM Komathy Suppiah, GV Varughese juga lain-lain yang saya tidak disebutkan di sini.

Ini dia kartun rumusan untuk tahun 2011

2011-12-21T13:27:00.001-08:00

Perak Darul Kartun bukan penghinaan tapi kritikan

2011-12-18T03:10:00.000-08:00

"Kepada golongan yang mangaku terhina, ingin saya jelaskan tiada sesiapa yang menghina mereka, melainkan mereka menghina diri mereka sendiri"

Cover Perak Darul Kartun. Komik yang diulang cetak sebanyak 3 kali dan kini sudah tiada di pasaran

Perak Darul Kartun adalah nama sebuah buku kartun yang dihasilkan oleh saya dan teman-teman seperti Ronasina, Jonos, Art, Naza, Azlan Isa dan lain-lain.

Ia diterbitkan selepas majalah pertama kami Gedung Kartun diharamkan. Kali pertama Perak Darul Kartun menjadi isu ialah pada Jun 2010 apabila ia diharamkan oleh KDN atas alasan "Kandungannya boleh menjejas ketenteraman awam serta boleh menghasut orang ramai menjatuhkan kerajaan!"

Saya telah mencabar pengharaman ini ke mahkamah dan telah kalah di pusingan pertama. Kini Perak Darul Kartun menjadi isu lagi apabila wakil Pakatan Rakyat, Adun Pantai Remis, Nga Kor Ming membangkitkannya dalam ucapan beliau baru-baru ini.

Atas isu ini, maka muncullah pihak-pihak yang mengaku terhina dengan perkataan Perak Darul Kartun. Saya sendiri menerima banyak kritikan. Idea untuk mencipta nama Perak Darul Kartun ini terbit selepas berlakunya rampasan kuasa di Perak oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional pimpinan Najib Razak.

Rampasan kuasa ini dilakukan melalui taktik keji, tidak bermaruah serta melampaui batas kemanusian dan undang-undang. Prinsip Perlembagaan dicabul, wakil rakyat disogok serta dibeli untuk melompat dan Dewan Undangan Negeri diceroboh.

Gelaran Perak Darul Kartun bukan satu penghinaan, tetapi adalah kritikan atas kezaliman Barisan Nasional dalam episod merampas negeri Perak. Kata Saidina Ali: "Berkata benar di hadapan pemimpin zalim itu adalah sifat patriot paling tinggi."

Sehubungan itu, menjadi tanggungjawab kita mengritik Najib dan Barisan Nasional dalam isu Perak ini.
Kepada golongan yang mangaku terhina, ingin saya jelaskan tiada sesiapa yang menghina mereka, melainkan mereka menghina diri mereka sendiri.

Kepada pemimpin/penyokong Umno/Barisan Nasional, anda telah menghina diri anda sendiri dengan melakukan rampasan kuasa rakus itu. Dan sekiranya ada rakyat Perak yang menyokong rampasan kuasa itu, anda juga menghina diri sendiri kerana tidak menentang kezaliman.

Kepada rakyat Perak yang bangun menentang kezaliman ini, mereka tidak rasa terhina malah telah menjalankan tanggungjawab sebagai manusia. Syabas kepada rakyat Perak yang berani.

Ini bukan cobaan, ini benar-benar kejadian!

2011-12-17T04:34:00.000-08:00

NOW, EVERYBODY CAN LIE

2011-12-16T06:44:00.001-08:00

SIAPA BAGI KETERANGAN TU.....?

2011-12-15T06:26:00.000-08:00

Punca rasuah terus bertambah di Malaysia

2011-12-13T15:54:00.000-08:00

Apakah kartun ini menghina mahkamah?

2011-12-13T11:25:00.000-08:00

Kartun ini tersiar dalam sebuah laman web di Amsterdam.

Banyak pihak menyatakan kartun saya ini menghina mahkamah. Apakah benar?

Penjelasan saya: Dalam keadaan sesebuah mahkamah adil dan mendaulat hukum, kartun ini saya akui boleh dianggap menghina mahkamah. Tetapi dalam situasi dimana mahkamah membiarkan diri mereka menjadi perkakas penguasa seperti di Malaysia, mahkamah sebenarnya menghina diri mereka sendiri. Kartun ini hanya merakam dalam bentuk visual.

Secara adil, kredibilit hakim-hakim kita bermula dengan baik sejak merdeka.

Tetapi pada tahun 1988, Ketua Hakim Negara Tun Salleh Abas bersama dua lagi hakim kanan dipecat semata-mata untuk memuaskan nafsu Mahathir untuk terus berkuasa. Sejak itu, sistem kehakiman negara tercemar dan ternoda. Hakim-hakim pengampu, tidak berwibawa, tidak punya jati diri dinaikkan jawatan.

Manakala hakim-hakim yang berwibawa yang menjalankan tugas mengikut hukum dihukum dengan diketepikan atau di"peti-sejukkan."

Kita lihat jelas bagaimana hakim-hakim mengikut skrip penguasa dalam kes Anwar, kes Beng Hock dan kes Altantuya. Dalam kes Anwar, hakim asal yang tegas, James Foong ditukar dan diganti dengan Augustine Paul. Dalam kes Altantuya kakim kanan, KN Sagara yang adil ditukar kepada yang lemah dan boleh dipulas telinganya.

Ini adalah sebhagian contoh dari senarai panjang. Neraca jadi tidak seimbang, yang punya kuasa menang, yang lemah terus diinjak. Berapa ramai orang yang tidak bersalah menjadi mangsa dan dipenjara kerana angkara hakim-hakim ini.

Islam menggariskan satu prinsip keadilan yang sangat penting buat pedoman para hakim (sekiranya ada keraguan). "Lebih baik membebaskan 1000 orang yang bersalah daripada memenjarakan satu orang yang tidak bersalah." .

Betapa besarnya dosa hakim-hakim curang sehingga Imam Ali mengingatkan bahawa "dua dari tiga hakim masuk neraka." Saya risau dalam keadaan di Malaysia ia menjadi "empat dari tiga hakim masuk neraka, yang keempat ialah ketua hakim."

KASI (Kartun Motivasi)

2011-12-12T04:31:00.001-08:00

Saat saya mula-mula menyokong Anwar dan kenapa dia perlu disokong

2011-12-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

(rencana khusus kepada golongan muda, terutama generasi selepas September 1998)

Anwar berucap di depan lebih 50,000 penyokong di Masjid Negara pada 20 Sept 1998

Pada 2 September 1998, media seperti Utusan Malaysia atau nama timangannya "Utusan Meloya" serta TV3 menyiarkan berita dan afidavit penuh dari beberapa individu bahawa Anwar Ibrahim terlibat dalam perlakuan liwat. Kebanyakan penyokong reformasi dan Pakatan Rakyat pada ketika itu tidak mengenali Anwar, begitu juga dengan saya. Semua dalam keleliruan.

Tetapi, saya mula menyoal kalau betul Anwar bersalah, pasti dia bukan begini peribadinya. Orang bersalah tidak akan berani berceramah di hadapan khalayak ramai, apatah lagi untuk bertentang mata dengan ribuan manusia. Sebagai manusia berakal, saya perlu mencari kepastian. Ketika itu, dari dua hingga ke 20 September, setiap malam di rumah Anwar diadakan ceramah.

Pada satu malam, saya berkesempatan untuk kali pertama mendengar ucapan mantan Timbalan Perdana Menteri itu di rumahnya di Bukit Damansara. Siang itu, penulis ucapan beliau Dr. Munawar Anees ditangkap.
Ceramah beliau pada malam itu mematikan keraguan saya termasuk satu baris pidato yang sangat penting dan signifikan.

Kata Anwar, merujuk penangkapan Dr Munawar, lebih kurang begini: "Kenapa tangkap orang-orang saya? Tangkap saya. Saya pemimpin!!!".

Hanya mereka yang "berani kerana benar" boleh berbicara seperti itu. Kata-kata seperti ini tidak mampu lahir dari mulut seorang yang bersalah. Atas kebenaran ini, dia berdiri tegak dan mencabar para rangkaian konspirator. Atas kebenaran ini, dia menerjang segala risiko demi membela orang yang dipimpin.

Saya percaya kalaulah situasi ini dihadapi oleh Dr Mahathir, sejak awal beliau sudah lari ke kandang kuda di Argentina dan membiarkan pengikut-pengikutnya menghadapi segala risiko. Dan kalau Najib mungkin sudah lama lari ke Mongolia.

Sejak saat itu saya pasti semua tuduhan yang dilemparkan ke atas Anwar adalah fitnah dan hanya untuk membunuh karier politik beliau dan menyelamatkan perasuah. Betapa besarnya dosa pereka-pereka fitnah, penyebar, pentokong dan orang yang berdiam serta merelakannya.

Bagi saya Anwar layak membawa Malaysia keluar dari kemelut dan dia perlu disokong. Kepada dia, rakyat boleh sandarkan harapan.Di bawah ini beberapa insiden yang diberitahu kepada saya kemudiannya yang mengukuhkan menyerlahkan perwatakannya sebagai seorang pemimpin.

Dalam peristiwa demonstrasi membela petani miskin Baling pada tahun 1974, Anwar pada asalnya tidak ditangkap dan sudah berada di rumah bapanya (Datuk Ibrahim) di Petaling Jaya. Tapi apabila mendengar berita penangkapan teman-temannya (termasuk Fadzil Noor), beliau segera ke balai polis Jalan Stadium untuk membela, yang akhirnya menyebabkan dia terus ditangkap di bawah ISA selama dua tahun.

Insiden kedua, apabila menghadapi tuduhan, sehari sebelum dipecat, dia diberi kata oleh oleh Dr Mahathir - "dipecat atau menghadapi tuduhan yang memalukan". Dan ini diiringi tawaran lumayan untuk bertugas di Bank Dunia sekiranya beliau memilih untuk meletak jawatan. Jawab Anwar, "Kenapa saya harus meletak jawatan, saya tidak bersalah." Kita percaya semua pemimpin Umno/BN dalam situasi ini akan memlilih jawatan di Bank Dunia.

Satu kriteria penting bagi seseorang pemimpin berwibawa. "Apabila berhadapan dengan pilihan laba, beliau memilih untuk mempertahankan prinsip walau pun risikonya penjara."

Malah prinsip beliau jelas dalam pilihanraya kecil Permatang Pauh 2008 di mana dia bertanding. Dalam kempen, taktik bersumpah atas nama agama dilakukan oleh Najib Razak dan Saiful demi mendapat undi.
Kerana tingkah lalu para sesumpah ini disiarkan oleh Meloya dan TV3, sokongan pengundi Melayu merosot mendadak, maka ada teman-teman yang menasihati Anwar untuk ikut bersumpah. Beliau menolak kerana amalan sumpah dilarang dalam Islam. Persoalan jenayah wajib di bawa ke mahkamah adil.

Beliau berpendirian tidak akan mengorbankan prinsip agama untuk tujuan politik kalau pun sekiramnya ditakdir beliau kalah dalam pilihanraya itu.

Akhir kalam, rencana ini tidak membicarakan soal politik kepartian, tetapi keperluan membawa Malaysia keluar dari kebobrokan rasuah, penjarahan harta negara, perompakan wang rakyat yang menghalang kemajuan negara.Umno/BN terjebak dalam lubuk keji ini dan mereka sendiri tidak mampu mencari jalan keluar, apa lagi membawa rakyat keluar.

Sebagai alternatif, kita punya seorang pemimpin yang berani, bertanggungjawab, berprinsip dan mempunyai jiwa pembela rakyat. Hanya seorang pemimpin tanpa rasuah seperti Anwar dengan gagasan Pakatan Rakyat mampu mengemudi Malaysia kembaliberdaulat dengan rakyat yang berjati diri.

ANUGERAH BUKAN UNTUK DIMEGAHI, TETAPI PENYUNTIK SEMANGAT

2011-12-10T01:40:00.000-08:00

Courage in Editorial Cartooning 2011

Human Right award dari Yayasan Hellmann-Hammett

Sejak mula melukis, saya tidak pernah mencita-citakan untuk diberi sebarang anugerah. Hasrat saya ialah melalui kartun, saya mahu melawan rasuah dan perasuah serta penguasa zalim pengisap darah rakyat.

Jika saya mahukan imbuhan tentu sudah lama saya mengikut jejak langkah beberapa kartunis yang menemui Menteri Rais Yatim beberapa bulan lepas yang kemudian diberi peruntukan RM5 juta. Kerana itu, walau menghadapi banyak cabaran dan rintangan, saya tetap meneruskannya.

Pada pertengahan Mei 2011, saya dimaklumkan oleh pihak Cartoonist Rights Network International (CRNI) bahawa saya telah dipilih untuk menerima anugerah "Courage in Editorial Cartooning 2011" (Keberanian Dalam Melukis Kartun Editorial).

Berita ini datang selepas saya ditangkap dan buku-buku saya diharamkan oleh kerajaan Malaysia. Dalam ucapannya di majlis penganugerahan yang diadakan pada 7 Julai di Florida, Amerika Syarikat, Pengarah CRNI, Dr Robert Russell, berkata:

"Zunar shakes his fist at their small minded, but terrifying power. His response to their blatant and illegalcensorship has become a guide map for how any of us can defend freedom of speech and preserve it for ourselves and our children. Zunar’s survival strategy in dealing with the pressures government put him under has been to keep fighting back. Now, Zunar is suing the government for false arrest. complaint will be upheld. He is just smarter than they are.

(terjemahan bebas)

**Cara Zunar menangani penapisan yang tidak sah menjadi pedoman bahawa kita boleh mempertahankan kebebasan bersuara dan mengekalkannya untuk kita dan sebagai warisan kepada anak cucu kita. Strategi Zunar dalam menghadapi tekanan dari kerajaan ialah dengan sentiasa melawan kembali. Selepas ditangkap secara tidak sah tahun lepas kerana menerbitkan buku kartun, beliau menyaman balik kerajaan Malaysia. **

Pada bulan Ogos, saya menerima satu lagi anugerah, kali ini anugerah hak asasi dari Yayasan Hellmann-Hammett di Amerika dan Human Rights Watch. Majlis penerimaannya diadakan di Bangkok.

Selang beberapa minggu memudian, saya mendapat tawaran untuk menjadi "Resident Artist" (artis jemputan) selama tiga bulan di Bilbao, Sepanyol. Dalam masa sama saya juga diberi peluang mengadakan pameran kartun dalam "Festival Melawan Penapisan" di sana. Dan di sini saya menerima satu lagi anugerah "Keberanian Melawan Penapisan" yang diberikan oleh pihak penganjur festival, iaitu Serrano Production.

Pada awal Disember, saya dihubungi oleh pengurus Annexe Gallery Pasar Seni, Pang Khee Teik bahawa saya telah diipilih sebagai salah seorang dari "Annexe Heroes 2011." Ini adalah anugerah pertama saya dari pertubuhan di Malaysia. Isteri saya, Fazlina Rosley mewakili saya untuk menerimanya di Annexe pada 10 Disember memandangkan saya masih di Bilbao.

Pihak penganjur mencatatkan penghargaan seperti di bawah:

"For capturing the follies and irony of Malaysian politics through cartoon and reminding us the power of art in the critique of power. For creatively finding platforms for his work even when the spaces for him to express such themes are being curtailed and even when his books are banned. For showing that all Malaysians must take a stand in this political climate.

(terjemahan bebas)

** Kerana menggambarkan betapa tolol dan ironinya politik Malaysia melalui kartun dan mengingatkan kita tentang kekesanan kritikan dalam karya seni. Kerana dengan kreatif mencipta wadah untuk bekarya walau pun ruangnya untuk beliau disekat, malah buku-bukunya diharamkan. Kerana menunjukkan kepada kita bahawa rakyat Malaysia perlu mengambil pendirian dalam politik. **

Seperti yang disebut di awal tulisan ini, anugerah bukanlah untuk dimegah, tetapi penting sebagai penyuntik semangat perjuangan. Ia memberi kekuatan baru, seperti yang saya sebut ketika ucapan di Florida, "seperti Popeye mendapat Spinach."

Courage in Fighting Cencorship

Annexe Heroes 2011

Saya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua pihak yang telah memberi anugerah kepada saya. Anugerah paling besar ialah penghormatan yang saya terima dari peminat, penyokong dan pembaca karya saya.

PERASUAH MENJADI SEMAKIN KREATIF

2011-12-05T20:29:00.001-08:00

PENJUALAN Even My Pen Have A Stand! berjaya disekat pihak berkuasa

2011-12-05T00:47:00.000-08:00

Berbagai taktik diguna kerajaan untuk menghalang saya melukis/menerbit buu Kartun. Mula-mula pada September 2009, KDN datang dan merampas 408 naskah Gedung Kartun di pejabat saya. Gedung Kartun diharamkan.

Saya teruskan menerbitkan kartun. Kemudian, pada Jun 2010 mereka haramkan lima buku saya; 1Funny Malaysia, Perak Darul Kartun, Isu Dalam Kartun vol 1, Isu Dalam Kartun vol 2 dan Isu Dalam Kartun vol 3.

Saya masih teruskan dengan menerbitkan "Cartoon-O-Phobia". Pada 24 September 2010, beberapa jam sebelum buku ini dilancarkan, sepuluh pegawai polis datang ke pejabat saya, merampas 66 naskah "Cartoon-O-Phobia" dan menangkap dan melokap saya di Akta Hasutan.

Pada masa yang sama, sepasukan 20 orang polis pergi ke kilang percetakan dan mengugut serta memberi amaran "agar tidak mencetak buku saya di masa akan datang atau lesen percetakan terancam."

Ada kilang memberitahu saya bahawa pihak berkuasa mengugut "kamu boleh mencetak bahan lucah, tapi jangan buku Zunar."

Akibatnya sulit sekali untuk mencari kilang yang berani mencetak buku terbaru saya, Even My Pen Have A Stand!. Saya menghubungi pencetak-pencetak dari Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Seremban, tetapi tidak ada yang berani walau pun akhirnya setelah dua bulan mencari berjumpa.

Pekedai-pekedai di seluruh negara juga diugut agar tidak menjual buku-buku saya atau menghadapi tindakan mahkamah dan juga lesen perniagan mereka di tarik balik. Taktik yang digunakan ialah apabila gagal menghalang saya, mereka menggunakan kaedah baru iaitu menakutkan-nakutklan pencetak dan penjual.

Taktik mereka berjaya. Saya baru mendapat email dari pengedar utama Gerak Budaya bahawa semua kedai - MPH, Popular dan Times Bookshop dengan rasminya menolak untuk menjual buku terbaru saya, Even My Pen Have A Stand!

Buku "Even My Pen Has a Stand" kini hanya dapat dijual secara online melalui link ini http://bit.ly/mPb9gl

SAKAR (sajak dalam kartun) & KARFO (kartun-kartun info)

2011-12-04T03:45:00.000-08:00

SAYA ENGGAN LUKIS KARTUN LEMBU

2011-12-03T02:18:00.000-08:00

Saya lihat ramai kartunis-kartunis menghasilkan kartun mengenai lembu; digambarkan bagaimana lembu duduk di kondo, lembu naik mercedes, menteri bermuka lembu dan sebagainya. Ini satu usaha bagus dari kartunis sebagai menunjukkan rasa perihatin atas isu semasa terutama yang menyentuh penyelewengan.

Saya juga mendapat banyak email/mesej melalui faceboook yang mencadangkan saya melukis berdasarkan idea-idea seperti itu. Saya ingin menyatakan bahawa saya tidak akan melukis kartun seperti itu. Ini bukan bererti untuk melemahkan semangat kartunis-kartunis muda, tetapi saya ada alasan sendiri.

PENJELASAN SAYA: Pertama, dalam isu ini lembu tidak bersalah walau pun ia boleh digunakan sebagai simbol. Jadi sasaran tidak seharusnya kepada lembu.

Kedua, jika kita menyatakan bahawa ini adalah kesalahan menteri wanita itu dan keluarganya, bererti kita salah sasaran lagi. Saya melihat kesalahan menteri wanita itu hanya kecil. Beliau adalah insan kecil yang bergabung dalam sekumpulan perasuah-perasuah besar yang mengujudkan satu sitem lingkaran mega rasuah.

Jadi siapa yang bersalah? Jawapannya Perdana Menteri! Kerana Perdana Menteri adalah seorang perasuah, maka semua perasuah akan dilindungi asalkan menyokong beliau. Tiada ada satu pun usaha dari Perdana Menteri untuk melawan rasuah, malah tidak pernah sekali pun ia menyebut hasrat untuk melawan rasuah!

Apakah menteri wanita ini berani melakukan penyelewengan ini jika beliau berada dalam kabinet di negara-negara demokrasi, Di England, Norway atau Sepanyol contohnya?

Di China, kerajaan menetapkan hukuman mati bagi perasuah. Di Indonesia, majlis ulama terkemuka NU (Nadathul Ulama) mengeluarkan fatwa bahawa "ulama-ulama yang bergabung di bawah pertubuhan itu tidak dibenarkan solatkan jenazah perasuah!"

Kita tahu rasuah ujud di negara-negara yang saya sebutkan, bezanya kerajaannya berusaha dengan mengambil berbagai langkah, menggubal undang bagi melawan rasuah. Para ulama juga mengambil bahagian sebagai tanggungjawab sosial, tidak seherti majlis ulama di Malaysia hanya terhad kepada perdebatan soal hukum makan belangkas atau halal haramnya KFC.

Jadi dalam isu lembu ini, sasaran kita harus kepada Perdana Menteri. Saya kan terus melukis kartun mengenai lembu tetapi sasarannya tetap kepada Perdana Menteri, Umno dan BN.

Selamatkan Malaysia.

2011-12-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

NAJIB DAN GURUNYA

2011-11-29T02:01:00.000-08:00

SAKAR

2011-11-28T22:31:00.000-08:00

Saya mula melorek Sakar apabila saya berada di Bilbao. Sakar ialah adalah singkatan Sajak Dalam Kartun.

Terhadap sesuatu isu, biasanya saya akan melukis kartun. Tetapi ada kalanya ia juga wajar ditambah dalam bentuk penulisan supaya dimensinya lebih berkembang.

Dari situlah timbulnya idea untuk mengujudkan karya seperti ini.

Festival komik di Getxo

2011-11-27T01:31:00.000-08:00

Pada Sabtu, 26 November saya berpeluang menghadiri Festival Komik (El X Salón del Cómic de Getxo) di Getxo, kira-kira 15 kilometer dari Bilbao. Ini adalah pertama kali saya menyertai festival seumpama ini, jadi saya tidak dapat membanding festival-festival seperti ini di Eropah atau di Jepun. Ini wajar kerana saya bukanlah peminat komik, beza kalau kartun politik.

Ia diadakan dalam satu khemah besar yang tertutup. Tiket masuk adalah 1euro dan hanya perlu dibayar sekali dan boleh digunakan untuk berapa kali masuk pun dalam satu hari. Di dalamnya, seperti pesta buku di PWTC, cuma bezanya semua bahan/buku/majalah yang terdapat di sini adalah komik. Ia dibahagi kepada pameran, gerai jualan dan ruang aktiviti.

Terdapat lima galeri yang mempamerkan karya pelukis-pelukis komik. Menurut pengarah festival yang saya temui, Mr Inaki Eloeeiaga, seramai 43 pelukis komik terlibat dalam pameran tahun ini. Menurut Inaki lagi, ini adalah kali kesepuluh festival ini diadakan. Tambah beliau, pada tahun-tahun sebelum ini, artis-artis antarabangsa contohnya dari Amerika, Itali dan Jepun juga dijemput.

Tetapi untuk tahun ini, akibat krisis ekonomi yang melanda Eropah, ia hanya terhad kepada pelukis-pelukis komik dari Sepanyol, Peranchis dan Belgium saja. Manakala di gerai jualan. banyak sekali buku/majalah/yang dijual seperti Tintin, Astryx, Glash Gordon, Modesty Blaise, Tarzan, Conan, Prince Valiant serta komik karya Esteban Maroto, Frank Frazetta, Alex Raymond, Hal Foster dan lain-lain.

Sudah menjadi tabiat manusia mencari yang diharamkan, lalu saya menanyakan untuk membeli "Tintin in Congo" yang diharamkan di seluruh Eropah kerana isu rasis, tetapi tidak ditemui. Di ruang jualan, terdapat merchandise dalam berbagai bentuk - toys, t-shirt dan lain-lain. Ketika kita melawat, mascot-maskot yang mengimitasi karektor komik berkeliaran.

Selain itu, terdapat juga ruangan forum untuk diskusi mengenai komik. Disamping itu disediakan beberapa ruang untuk orang ramai terutama kanak-kanak untuk melukis. Mereka disediakan peralatan melukis seperti pensil, pemadam, kertas dan warna secara percuma. Dan pelukis-pelukis senior juga bersedia mengajar membimbing mereka juga secara percuma. Selain itu, terdapat satu lagi ruang untuk remaja dan kanak-kanak untuk mengambil bahagian dalam game yang berkaitan karektor komik.

Saya temui dan berkenalan dengan pelukis-pelukis komik dari Peranchis, Carlos serta teamnya. Saya juga ambil kesempatan berbual dengan Daniel dari Persatuan Ilustrator Eropah, dan beliau rupanya sebelum ini mengetahui tentang kes saya. Saya juga temui pengukir skuptor/pembuat topeng karektor komik, Gorka.

Saya rasa ini satu festival yang sangat menarik, rasa mahu seharian di sana, tetapi pembantu saya, Ms Ainhoa harus ke tempat lain. - Hasta logo!

DOA-DOA KATAK

2011-11-25T23:54:00.000-08:00

Scerita teladan di petik dan diterjemah dari "Prayers of The Frog".

Tersebut kisah ratusan tahun lalu di sebuah perkampungan di selatan India. Ada seorang guru yang mengajar satu agama baru dan dia berhasil mengumpulkan 50 orang anak murid. Setiap minggu dia dan pengikut-pengikutnya akan bersembahyang secara beramai-ramai. Guru ini mempunyai seekor kucing kesayangan.

Setiap kali upacara sembahyang diadakan, kucing ini akan menggangu sang guru. Maka sebagai jalan penyelesaian, guru ini menambat kucingnya setiap kali bersembahyang. Hari berganti tahun. Pengikutnya bertambah ramai. Dan setiap kali dia menjadi imam sembahyang, guru it akan menambat kucing.

Berpuluh tahun kemudian, guru itu mati, lalu diganti dengan guru baru. Dan guru ini juga setiap kali sembahyang akan menambat kucing guru pertamanya. Berpuluh tahun kemudian, kucing itu mati. Lalu dicarilah mereka kucing yang lain untuk ditambat setiap kali bersembahyang.

Ratusan tahun kemudian, pengikut agama tersebut yang semakin ramai dan bercambah di mana-mana akan menambat kucing sebagai satu 'rukun wajib' setiap kali mereka sembahyang sehingga ke hari ini!

SANGGUPKAH KITA DIPERBODOHKAN LAGI?

2011-11-25T00:30:00.000-08:00

Janganlah kita biarkan diri kita diperbodoh oleh pemimpin-pemimpin yang berbicara indah, tetapi hipokritnya Kata pepatah arab, "sekali seseorang itu menipu kita, orang itu jahat. Dua kali orang yang sama menipu kita, kita bodoh."

Sudah lebih 54 tahun kita diperbodoh. Sudah sampai masanya kita bangun dan lawan!

TANDA-TANDA AKHIR

2011-11-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

Tanda-tanda akhir tamaddun kemanusiaan, seperti yang disepakati ulama ialah apabila munculnya kejadian kejadian aneh. Ia diikuti dengan musnahnya satu persatu isi alam dan menjelmalah alam akhirat. Yang jelas, menjelang kemusnahan atau kejatuhan sesuatu tamaddun, ia akan diawali dengan berlakunya perkara-perkara aneh.

Barisan, Nasional telah memerintah negara ini selama lebih 54 tahun dan akhir-akhir ini banyak perkara-perkara aneh, tidak masuk akal berlaku...

BILA BOHONG JADI KEWAJIPAN

2011-11-22T23:12:00.000-08:00

Berbohong adalah sarapan pagi pemimpin Umno/BN. Saya rasa Perdana Menteri Malaysia terlalu banyak berbohong sehingga dia sendiri tak lagi percaya apa yang dia cakap! Dua bulan lepas, berdegar-degar, dicanang seluruh negara bahawa ISA akan dihapuskan. Tetapi minggu lepas 10 orang ditahan di bawah ISA.

Malah dalam Parlimen awal minggu ini, saorang menteri kabinet menyatakan satu akta baru akan digubal bagi menggantikan ISA dan akta baru itu membenarkan kerajaaan menahan sesiapa saja tanpa bicara!

Jadi inilah kartun saya.

NEGERI PARA BEDEBAH!

2011-11-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

Sajak karya penyair Indonesia, Adi Massardi ini sesuai sekali dibaca oleh semua rakyat Malaysia. Saya pinta tolong sebar-luaskan dalam berbagai bentuk agar semua dapat membacanya.

T-SHIRT UNTUK CRNI/ T-SHIRT FOR CRNI

2011-11-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

Pengarah Cartoonist Rights Network International (CRNI), Dr Robert Russell menghubungi saya selepas beliau menonton video ini http://www.eitb.com/es/videos/detalle/771050/el-dibujante-vinetas-zunar-festival-zentsura-at-bilbao/ dan bertanya bagaimana untuk mendapat/membeli T-Shirt yang saya pakai dalam penggambaran itu.

T-shirt ini sebenarnya direka untuk kegunaan ahli-ahli Kelab Kartunis Independen (KKI), sebuah forum tertutup facebook yang dianggotai antara lain kartunis Jonos, Ronasina, Johnny Ong, Azmie Taha dan lain-lain.

Dr Robert, yang dikenali dengan nama Bro adalah salah seorang dari tiga individu yang bertanggungjawab memperkenalkan saya di peringkat antarabangsa. Dua yang lain ialah Prof John E Lent, pensyarah School of Communication & Theatre, Temple University Philadelphia dan Sophie Lemière, aktivis Peranchis juga penyelidik contemporary Southeast Asia of Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University di Singapura.

Bro, seorang yang sangat rendah diri menyatakan apakah T-Shirt tersebut masih ada stok dan apakah boleh dikirim sedikit ke Washington untuk dijual sebagai sumbangan dana kepada CRNI. Saya nyatakan ia agak sukar kerana kos penghantaran yang mahal disamping saiz yang kami cetak tidak sesuai untuk orang Amerika.

Saya memberi cadangan balas bagaimana kalau rekabentuk itu saya kembangkan dan pinda sedikit dan serahkan kepada CRNI. Beliau setuju dan setelah tiga hari, saya pun menyiapkan rekabentuk itu dan email kepada beliau. Setelah beberapa pindaan dengan memasukkan logo CRNI, beliau bersetuju dan amat menyukainya

Dr Robert Russell (kiri) bersama saya dan pembantu beliau, Drew.

Prof John E Lent

Sophie Lemière

Beliau seterusnya meminta kebenaran saya untuk mencetak T-shirt ini dan menjual sebagai sumbangan dana untuk pertubuhan kartunis itu. Saya menjawab: "Sudah tentu saya setuju. Bro, sumbangan ini adalah amat sedikit berbanding kerja keras kamu dalam menaikkan martabat kartunis-kartunis yang tertindas terutamanya di Asia, Timur Tengah dan Amerika Latin. Malah bagi saya, jika rekabentuk ini diterima CRNI, adalah satu penghormatan."

T-SHIRT FOR CRNI

The Cartoonist Rights Network International (CRNI)'s director, Dr Robert Russell contacted me after watching this video http://www.eitb.com/es/videos/detalle/771050/el-dibujante-vinetas-zunar-festival-zentsura-at-bilbao/ and asked me how to get/buy the t-shirt that I wore in the video.

Actually the t-shirt was designed for facebook-based closed group, Kelab Kartunis Independen (KKI), an independent cartoonist group which includes Jonos, Ronasina, Johnny Ong and Azmie Taha, among others.

Dr Russell, also known as Bro, is one of three individuals who was responsible for promoting me on the international arena.

The other two are Prof. John E. Lent, who lectures at the School of Communication & Theatre, Temple University, Philadelphia, and Ms. Sophie Lemière, a French and researcher at the contemporary Southeast Asia of Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University of Singapore.

A very humble person, as I know him. Bro asked whether I could send some of the T-shirts to be sold in Washington for CRNI's fund. I told him that it is not practical as the postal cost would be very expensive and futhermore the size is not meant for Americans.

I suggested to him however, if I could develop and adjust the design, and send the artwork to CRNI. He agreed and after three days, I emailed the artwork to him. After a few adjustmen, he liked it. He then asked my permission to print the design onto t-shirts to be sold to collect fund fo CRNI.

Of course I agreed. My contribution is very small compared to what Bro has been doing to support and protect the rights of cartoonists from Asia, Middle-East, Africa and Latin America.

If my design is accepted, it will certainly be an honour.

ISU NFL

2011-11-21T02:17:00.000-08:00

Isu ini adalah menyentuh tentang korupsi melibatkan penternakan lembu yang dilulus kabinet.

KARTUN-KARTUN MENGENAI SAYA

2011-11-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

Sudah banyak kartun-kartun saya dimuatkan dalam blog ini dan anda juga boleh membacanya dalam internet. Dalam entry kali ini, saya memuatkan kartun-kartun oleh orang lain mengenai saya dan isu berkaitan pengharaman buku saya dan penahanan saya.

Kartun pertama ialah karya kartunis Sepanyol Saúl Cabanillas Hernández yang dilukis pada bulan Mei tahun lepas selepas buku saya diharamkan. Manakala kartun kedua adalah karya kartunis Stephhf dari Peranchis.

Seterusnya kartun solidariti selepas saya ditangkap yang dilukis oleh Ronasina, Oly dan Azlan Isa (orang-orang). Seterusnya, karya Azman Md Noh (AMN) mengenai bagaimana saya dibawa ke tujuh balai, yang saya sebut 'Dari Balai Ke Bali".

Terima kasih saya ucapkan kepada Ronasina, Oly, Azlan, AMN, Saúl dan Stephhf atas sokongan yang diberikan. Saya sungguh tersentuh atas karya-karya-karya anda semua!

Kita tak berhak halang hak orang lain/ We got no right to stop their rights

2011-11-19T00:39:00.000-08:00

Kita tidak berhak menghalang hak orang lain

Tindakan polis terhadap penganjur Seksualiti Merdeka jadi bahan ketawa apabila saya bangkitkan dalam satu forum di Bilbao.Berkenaan isu ini, pendirian saya jelas: Selagi seseorang itu bernama manusia, dia tetap mempunyai hak asasi sebagai manusia.

Salah satu aspek terpenting dalam hak asasi adalah hak untuk bersuara dan menyatakan pendapat. Begitu juga dalam hal LGBT, mereka adalah manusia, oleh itu kita tidak berhak menghalang mereka untuk mempratiskan hak asasi mereka.Kita boleh tidak bersetuju, kita boleh mengkritik, kita boleh mempersoal, tetapi kita tidak boleh menghalang mereka dari menyatakan pendapat mereka.

Dalam satu kartun, saya melukiskan bahawa burung dibayar untuk bercakap, tapi manusia...?

We got no right to stop their rights

The police action to stop Seksualiti Merdeka organizer became a laughing topic when I brought it up in one of the forums in Bilbao.My stand in this issue is clear: As far as the entity is a human, he or she is entitled to human rights.One of the fundamental aspect of human right is the rights of expression.

LGBT, as they called it, is a group of humans, so we have got no right to stop their rights. We may not agree with them, we can criticize them, but we cannot stop them from expressing their views.

In one of my cartoons, I drew people paying to listen to a "speaking bird", but how about humans...?

BOHONG LAGI! / LIAR. LIAR!

2011-11-18T00:24:00.000-08:00

ISA adalah undang-undang lapuk dan zalim yang sering diguna kerajaan untuk menahan aktivis dan pemimpin pembangkang. Sejak ia diperkenal dalam tahun 1960, lebih 10,000 telah ditahan di bawah akta itu.

Pada bulan September, Perdana Menteri Najib mengumumkan ISA akan dimansuh. Dalam komen saya, saya menyatakan kenyataan PM itu hanyalah gimik politik untuk menarik sokongan pengundi.

Ternyata benar! Semalam (17 November) 10 lagi ditahan di bawah ISA!

Inilah kartun terbaru saya.

LIAR, LIAR!

ISA is one of the infamous draconian laws in Malaysia used by the government to detain dissidents and opposition leaders without trial for two years or more.

Since it was introduced in 1960, more that 10,000 people have been detained under the ISA. In September 2011, Prime Minister Najib announced that the government will abolish the law. In my recent comment, the PM's statement, to me, was merely a lip service and political gimmick to gain support from people.

True enough, yesterday (17 Nov) 10 people were held under the law!

This is my latest cartoon about it.

Wawancara dengan Suara Keadilan sedikit masa dulu

2011-11-17T10:39:00.000-08:00

INTRO: Buku-bukunya di haram, pejabatnya sering diserbu, kilang yang mencetak buku beliau diserbu dan dia ditangkap serta di masukkan ke lokap. Namun iti tidak pernah melemahkan beliau untuk terus berkarya. Itulah kartunis Zunar atau nama sebenarnya Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque.

Malah atas kecekalan ini, pada Julai lalu dia diberi anugerah 2011 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning (Keberanian Dalam Melukis Kartun) oleh Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI), sebuah pertubuhan hak asasi yang mewakili 600 kartunis seluruh dunia.

Seperti kata Pengarah CRNI Dr Robert Russell, kulaiti Zunar sebagai kartunis adalah apabila menghadapi tekanan dari kerajaan, beliau sentiasa melawan kembali. Suara Keadilan menyorot lebih dekat minda kartunis kontroversi ini.

SOALAN: Apa situasi negara kita sekarang?

Negara kita diperintah oleh golongan kapitalis dan penguasa rakus. Rasuah, pelanggaran hak asasi, penindasan, fitnah berleluasa. Agama diputabelitkan dan ketegangan kaum diperbesarkan bagi mengekalkan kuasa pemerintah.

Rakyat telah bangkit, tetapi saya kesal dengan golongan yang berdiam diri, tidak ambil berat dan berkecuali. Ketika sesebuah masyarakat atau negara dilanda krisis moral seperti di Malaysia, kita mesti membantu golongan yang tertindas. Berkecuali bererti membantu golongan zalim untuk meneruskan kerakusan mereka.

SOALAN: Bagaimana pandangan saudara mengenai seniman di Malaysia?

Kini saya nampak semakin ramai seniman yang bangkit menyatakan pendirian dalam isu-isu yang menyentuh kepentingan umum - Pak Samad, Dinsman, Hishamuddin Rais, Bob Lokman, Nasir Jani, Pyan Habib, Rahmat Haron dan lain-lain. Tapi terlalu ramai seniman masih lena dibuai mimpi dan ganjaran material.

SOALAN: Mereka harus bagaimana?

Yang bernama seniman - penulis, pelukis, pengarah filem, penyanyi, pelakon, aktivis teater, kartunis dan sebagainya harus ingat bahawa mereka adalah golongan istimewa kerana dilahirkan dengan bakat kurnian Tuhan. Bakat tidak diberikan percuma, ia datang berserta tanggung jawab yang amat berat. Apakah tanggungjawab ipara seniman? Seniman mesti menjadi golongan yang paling dekat dengan rakyat.

Seniman mesti rasa denyut nadi rakyat, dengar suara rakyat, perihatin penderitaan rakyat dan perjuangkan nasib rakyat. Dan ia tidak berakhir disitu - rintihan dan keluhan ini mesti diterjemahkan dalam karya-karya mereka. Tidak memadai di mulut sebut perihatin, manakala karya mereka menyokong penguasa yang menindas rakyat.

Sekiranya ini tidak dilakukan bererti seseorang seniman itu gagal menunaikan tanggung jawab dan amanah bakat yang diberikan Tuhan kepada mereka. Singkap sejarah perjuangan, kita temui nama-nama seperti Victor Jara (Cuba), Johanes Thambajog, Rendra (Indonesia), Remmy Assam (Mesir), Joan Baez (Amerika) dan sebagainya. Kita perlu lahirkan seniman seperti itu.

SOALAN: Saudara mungkin idealis, tetapi ini sukar dilakukan di negara kita dimana media dan pentas penyiaran dikuasai pemerintah.

Tidak ada pilihan dalam melaksanakan tanggungjawab! Seniman harus jadikan rintangan-rintangan yang disebutkan tadi sebagai cabaran dan bersatu merobohkan bentengnya. Saya risau apa yang disebutkan rintangan itu sebenarnya dijadikan alasan untuk terus menyokong golongan yang zalim.

SOALAN: Adakah ini pendekatan yang digunakan saudara?

Melalui kartun saya tekankan soal pendirian. Untuk memperlihatkan pendirian dalam sebuah kartun yang lucu memang sukar, tetapi itulah yang saya lakukan. Dalam mencari idea, langkah pertama yang saya lakukan ialah mamahami isu dari berbagai sumber informasi dan berbagai perspektif.

Saya baca akhbar, internet, rujuk sejarah dan sekiranya isu itu menyentuh orang yang saya kenal, saya akan menefon beliau dan mendapatkan maklumat sebenar. Ada kalanya saya hadir di lokasi seperti di mahkamah dan di perhimpunan aman untuk mengetahui lebih lanjut perspektif dari mereka yang terlibat.

Melalui informasi ini, saya mengambil pendirian mengenai isu tersebut. Selepas itu barulah mencari idea jenakanya. Idea yang dihasilkan mestilah selari dengan pendirian yang saya telah ambil. Saya tidak akan melukis sekiranya jenaka yang saya dapat itu bertentangan dengan pendirian saya - saya tegas dan tidak bertolak ansur dalam soal ini dari awal saya berkarya hingga sekarang.

KARTUN-KARTUN HAJI

2011-11-16T21:32:00.000-08:00

KARTUN-KARTUN HAJI

Dalam melukis kartun, saya punya prinsip tidak akan mengkritik ajaran asas sesuatu agama. Begitu juga dalam isu-isu yang menyentuh ajaran Islam. Saya tidak mengritik Islam, tetapi saya berhak mengkritik orang-orang Islam - malah itu digalakkan dalam Islam.

Bila melukis isu haji, yang saya kritik bukan ibadat tersebut, tetapi manusia-manusia hipokrit yang berselindung di sebalik ibadah demi kepentingan diri.

Kepada yang berkata kita tidak boleh menghukum orang atau biarkan Tuhan tentukan, siapalah kita untuk menentukan ibadat orang lain, jawapan saya: "Kita hidup untuk apa, kalau perkara sebegitu mudah pun kita gagal membuat keputusan dan semuanya diserah kepada Tuhan?".

Kalau pencuri dihukum, kenapa pemimpin hipokrit kita takut menghukum?

Bukankah garis panduan telah dinyatakan dengan jelas dalam Quran bahawa sesiapa yang menununaikan haji, bukan saja menjalankan ibadat, tetapi juga harus secara terbuka mengaku dan meninggalkan semua perlakuan jahat. Ini termasuk kezaliman, hiporasi, rasuah dan seumpamanya.

Jadi inilah kartun-kartun saya. Anda berhak komen, tetapi haruslah dengan hujah rasional.

LAPORAN MEDIA BILBAO

2011-11-16T10:28:00.000-08:00

LAPORAN MEDIA BILBAO

Cerita saya disiarkan oleh akhbar Basque, Gara. Saya diberi ruang satu muka penuh dalam edisi hari ahad. Tajuknya lebih kurang begini apabila diterjemah. "Mereka (kerajaan) boleh mengharamkan buku saya, tetapi mereka tidak akan boleh mengharamkan otak saya."

Laporan video pula disiarkan oleh stesen TV Eitb dalam slot berita jam 2 petang (dalam bahasa Basque, 3 petang (dalam bahasa Spain) dan jam 8 malam.

http://www.eitb.com/es/videos/detalle/771050/el-dibujante-vinetas-zunar-festival-zentsura-at-bilbao/

Manakala laman komik antarabangsa "The Comic Reporter" juga menyiarkan berita.
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/index/zunar_sends_greetings_from_bilbao_spain/

Sementara itu sebuah laman yang memperjuangkan hak kartunis (Free Dimensional) juga menyiarkan berita award yang saya terima di Bilbao.

http://freedimensional.org/2011/11/vi-festival-against-censorship-honors-fd-stakeholder-zunar-with-the-2011-courage-to-fight-censorship-award/

SALAM DARI BILBAO/HELLO FROM BILBAO

2011-11-16T06:19:00.000-08:00

SALAM DARI BILBAO

Salam, apa khabar semua? Terima kasih kerana sudi mampir ke blog saya. Buat masa sekarang saya berada di Bilbao, Sepanyol (3 OKtober ke 1 Januari) kerana menjadi artis jemputan (Artist-in-Residence) dalam program “Art and Censorship” (Seni dan Penapisan) anjuran sebuah yayasan kesenian di Bilbao, Sepanyol.

Disamping itu, saya juga mengambil bahagian dalam VI Festival Against Censorship (Festival Melawan Penapisan ke V1) yang diadakan dari 7 hingga 15 November di mana saya mempamerkan 65 buah karya kartun politik saya yang bertema "To Fight Through Cartoon" (Berjuang Melalui Kartun).

Selain saya artis-artis yang mengambil bahagian termasuk Bombona from Nigeria, Hugh Masekala dari South Afrika, Sierra Leon Refugee All Stars dan Owen Maseko dari Zimbabwe serta 20 artis lain dari seluruh dunia.

HELLO FROM BILBAO

HI everyone, welcome to my blog. I am currently in Bilbao, Spain for three months until end of December as an Artist-in-Residence 2011 for BilbaoArte. Beside that, I am also take part in "Festival Against Censorship" and an exhibit 65 of my cartoons.

The exhibition, "To Fight Through Cartoon" begins from 7 November at Alhóndiga, one of the famous art centre in the heart of Bilbao. The exhibition is part the annual Festival which features censored artworks from artists/art activist all over the world.

Beside me, this year participant including Bombona from Nigeria, Hugh Masekala from South Afrika, Sierra Leon Refugee All Stars (music band) and Owen Maseko dari Zimbabwe.

My first post !

2011-11-16T02:14:00.001-08:00

Hi everybody