Hazlan Zakaria
Political cartoonist Zunar said that he rejected an award that was to be conferred by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for the 1Malaysia cartoon and animation exhibition at Pasar Seni, last Sunday.
“I don’t want awards or money. What I want are my rights. Return my rights to me,” the cartoonist, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, told Malaysiakini.
“Anyway Najib is the one who is supposed to confer the award. The man under whose administration I was arrested, my books were banned and confiscated, police raided my office and restrictions were placed on publishers, distributors and printers from printing and publishing my book.
“Return my rights, allow me to publish my books and take away the restrictions against me, then maybe I shall consider to attend.”Zunar (right) had also spoken out against what he perceived to be Najib’s attempt to make cartoonists toe the government line.
He related how he was approached by the joint organisers of the event, Cartoonist At Work (CAW) and Putera Umno who wanted him to be one of the recipients of the cartoonist achievement award.
“I rejected it because I think it is an attempt to buy and silence me,” said Zunar, pointing out that CAW’s patron is actually Sohaimi Shahadan, a Putera Umno exco member.
CAW have also recently received a RM5 million grant from the Information, Communication and Culture Ministry to produce local cartoon and animation products.
SPOT ON - DON'T TAKE BRIBES FROM CROOKS!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIf Najib is sincere to make right what is wrong, he could consider lifting the ban on Zunar's books.
ReplyDeleteBerani kerana benar, takut kerana salah.
DeleteHowever Zunar should self censor his own art work, even though there are freedom of expression, there is still a limit to it.
ReplyDeleteKebebasan harus juga mengikut undang2 yang telah ditetapkan.
Deletejika nk berkarya biarlah ada batasnya.
ReplyDeletebetul tu..sama juga dengan kebebasan bersuara.
DeleteHidup PATI hidup BN hidup Filipina
ReplyDeleteHarap ada CM Filipina di Sabah
Jahanam orang Sabah tempatan
SAPP STAR PR semua mampus
Kadazan bodoh
Cina bapi
Melayu gila
The rise of Filipino
Just accept the award..
ReplyDeleteA man with principle.
ReplyDeleteIs this considered bribery? OMG
ReplyDeleteHe has his Principe and we should respect it. Blame him not, because he has right to do so.
ReplyDeleteAs a citizenship we have duties, privilege and rights.
ReplyDeleteApa pun seharusnya perlulah menggunakan kelebihan yang ada itu untuk kebaikkan.
ReplyDeletei agree with this person action.. and what he said is right!
ReplyDeleteharap2 ada la kartunis yang boleh melukis muka si zunar untuk di jadikan bahan lawak, sindiran dan kutukan.. baru dia rasa kalau diri sendiri sudah kena..
ReplyDeletePrime Minister Najib Tun Razak says cartoonists and animators who have influence in determining the stability, unity and prosperity of this country must produce works that do not violate morals and ethics.
ReplyDeleteThe Prime Minister opined that Cartoonists and animators must be more sensitive with the culture and customs of a courteous Malaysian society.
ReplyDeleteHe said that every work or product must also be based and blended with good local values which could reach international level without restricting the creativity and innovation.
ReplyDeleteWorks that are provocative and inciteful which can lead to disunity and discord must be avoided; cartoonists and animators in this country are mature enough to judge for the common good.
ReplyDeleteNajib hopes they would go glocal just like the Upin dan Ipin animated series that were shown on Disney Channel Asia making it Malaysia’s cultural ambassador.
ReplyDeleteCartoon and animation works are an appropriate vehicle as they are clean, colour blind, unique and universal and reflect Malaysia’s pluralistic identity.
ReplyDeleteCartoonists and animators have an important role in development and progress. Humour in the jokes must insert messages on solidarity, cooperation, tolerance and togetherness to uphold the 1Malaysia philosophy.
ReplyDeleteThey should be able to translate and communicate all government policies in a light and relaxed way easily understood by society.
ReplyDeleteNajib fully supports the establishment of ‘Yayasan Pengiat Kartun 1Malaysia’ to develop and strengthen unity among cartoonists and animators in the country.
ReplyDeleteHe also presented RM10,000 each to four veteran cartoonists in recognition of their services. They are Lat (Mohammad Nor Khalid), Zainal Buang Hussein, Reggie Lee and Jaafar Taib.
ReplyDelete