Political cartoonist Zulkiflee Sm Anwar Ulhaque, who has just received the prestigious "International Press Freedom Award 2015" from the Committee to Protect Journalists, has dedicated his award to all Malaysians pushing for reforms.

Zulkiflee, also known as Zunar, said the award, which he received today at a gala dinner at The Waldorf Astoria, New York, is also dedicated to his worldwide supporters and fans “who have stood behind me continuously”.

The other recipients of the award presented by legendary cartoonist, Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury) are from Syria, Paraguay and Ethopia.

“It is both my responsibility and my right as a citizen to expose corruption, wrongdoing and injustices. Laws like the Sedition Act mean that drawing cartoons is a crime,” Zunar said in his speech in front of a large audience.

“The government of Malaysia is a cartoon government; a government of the cartoon, by the cartoon, for the cartoon – sorry Abraham Lincoln,” he added, in his typical tongue-in-cheek style.

“For asking people to laugh at the government, I was handcuffed, detained, thrown into the lock-up but I kept laughing and encouraging people to laugh with me. Why? Because laughter is the best form of protest,” he added.

Zunar, who is also Malaysiakini 's cartoonist, is facing nine charges under the archaic Sedition Act.

If convicted under all charges simultaneously, Zunar faces a total of 43 years' imprisonment .

He has been detained and locked behind bars twice under the Sedition Act – in September 2010 for two days and recently on Feb 10, for three days.

Fighting through cartoons

Five of Zunar’s cartoon books have been banned by the Malaysian government on the grounds that the contents are "detrimental to public order”.

Zunar’s office in Kuala Lumpur has been raided a few times and thousands of his cartoon books have been confiscated.

Undaunted, Zunar said his mission is to fight through cartoons.

“Why pinch when you can punch? People need to know the truth and I will continue to fight through my cartoons,” he said.

“I want to give a clear message to the aggressors – they can ban my cartoons, they can ban my books, but they cannot ban my mind. I will keep drawing until the last drop of my ink,” he added.

Zunar is returning to Malaysia tomorrow, and will be in Penang this Saturday to launch a “rare” exhibition in George Town, at 9am at The Space, on Beach Street.

His exhibition will be based on his latest book 'Sapuman - Man of Steel', which poke fun at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who is currently embroiled in several financial scandals.

He said his exhibition in Penang is one of his first major events in Malaysia, which he is excited to attend although he is tired after his international tour to the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.

He has exhibited in Italy and currently at the British Museum of Cartoons, but never did so extensively in his own country.

Political scenario

It’s time for me to introduce my cartoons to Malaysians in the northern region, who might now have attended any of my events which are often centralised in Kuala Lumpur,” Zunar said.

“I hope I can introduce my cartoons to Penangites and those from as far as Perlis, Kedah and Perak, and interact with them at a personal level so I can explain to them why I am doing this,” he added.

Asked why he continues his work despite being targeted by the government, Zunar’s response was crisp: “My responsibility to my country is bigger than my fear.”

He said his cartoon style has seen several changes to keep up to date with the current political scenario.

He invites the public to see his new cartoons, and describes his work now as “more dynamic and comprehensive”.

“Not many people understand politics, so I hope when they see my cartoons, they can find something to relate to,” Zunar said.