Why act on Thaipusam cartoon only 5 months later, Zunar asks police

KUALA LUMPUR – Controversial cartoonist Zunar says he is puzzled as to why he is being called in for questioning by police over the caricature of the Kedah Thaipusam holiday issue that was posted in January.

The artist – whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Alhaque – said he will be roped in over his cartoon posted on January 23 in the Facebook Zunar Kartunis Fan Club page.

“The cartoon was posted long ago – in fact, five months ago – but only now they (police) act? However, we can say this is politically motivated,” he told The Vibes when contacted.

In a posting on Twitter, Zunar said an investigation paper was opened under section 505c of the Penal code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (1998).

“I will be at the (Police) IPD (District Headquarters) in Padang Terap at 11am, May 2, 2021,” he said in a posting, which was accompanied by the drawing in question.

The drawing depicts Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor using a cleaver with the words “No Thaipusam Holiday” chopping through a table occupied by characters of different races.

Zunar told The Vibes that he was unsure why the police were investigating, as the cartoonist was merely expressing his views via his cartoons.

“I maintain a very simple principle, which is to comment on the issue that was happening at that time. I am merely giving my views and my thoughts – but someone made a police report, and this morning I got a call to attend police questioning in Padang Terap.”

Zunar said he had the right to comment on issues, and it was “not a problem” to him if people did not agree with them.

And yet some quarters, he said, are asking the police to take action.

“My cartoon is open to interpretation; it's something visual where I am commenting on a current issue. But I am not responsible for how people interpret it.”

Zunar said he was also unsure why he had to make a trip up to Kedah from Kuala Lumpur, where he is based, to attend the questioning.

“Again, we don’t know the actual issue, but this is what the police require. Whatever it is, I have to follow (their instructions).”

The cartoon emerged after the Kedah Menteri Besar had decided that this year’s Thaipusam celebrations earlier this year would not be a public holiday.

Zunar added that as a Kedah native, he was disappointed with the decision as state was a racially and religiously harmonious state.

“We (Kedahans) mixed very well. Normally, politicians do things like this to divide us, which is why I don’t agree. The whole issue was unnecessary, and this is the first time that such a thing has happened.

“I don’t know the (politician’s) motive, but this would disrupt harmony in Kedah.” – The Vibes, April 28, 2021