Although the climate of fear is real for Malaysia’s most famous political cartoonist Zunar, he will from now on “go to the streets” with his controversial artworks, which mostly target Malaysia’s top leadership.

Zunar, whose real name is Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, said his “Geneva style” outdoor exhibition would also be held in Selangor and Penang, and other states in the coming months.

This time, he wants to simplify the issues surrounding the "much-sought-after" Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) for the public to understand as there is much jargon to digest in the various newspaper reports on the subject.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has been confirmed by one of his cabinet ministers to be the elusive MO1 cited in the US civil suit against three individuals alleged to have been involved in money laundering of 1MDB funds.

He has denied being involved in the civil suit and attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has cleared him of any wrongdoing related to mismanagement of funds in 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation in Najib's private bank accounts.

“Besides making it easy for people to understand, I also want them to know that corruption is not a political issue. We pay for the corruption. So my message to the people is; don't just keep quiet. Act now before it is too late,” he told Malaysiakini.

The Malaysiakini cartoonist is currently holding an exhibition themed ‘Cartoon for Rakyat’ at Amcorp Mall Shopping Complex, Petaling Jaya, from Sept 3 to 10.

He is showcasing 20 of his best cartoons, which have been selected, and printed on giant billboards and will be on display.

Other subjects include his views and perception of the goods and services tax, Merdeka Day, the Sedition Act, the “domineering wife” of the prime minister, corruption and conspiracies against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

“All my exhibitions will be done outdoors from now on, where I go to the people, and not ask the people come to me. My artworks will be displayed in an open space and not in galleries or halls,” Zunar told Malaysiakini.

“I have programmes lined up for Shah Alam, Selangor and I am in discussion with Penang on a late November event to showcase my work,” Zunar added.

More impact

Zunar has held several exhibitions overseas – at the British Cartoon Museum (UK), Malmo (Sweden), Bilbao (Spain), Paris (France), Kentucky (US) and Geneva (Switzerland).

“When I did it in Geneva, the Malaysian government was angry and said I was undermining it overseas, so that is why I am doing it (exhibition) at home now,” Zunar said.

He was referring to Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak who said that Zunar’s drawings criticising Najib at the exhibition in Geneva were an insult to a leader whom the people voted for.

Salleh also did not rule the possibility of a collective effort to topple the prime minister, saying he regretted Zunar’s action.

“Even if there is a difference in opinion, it should be settled within Malaysia,” Salleh said.

The outdoor or “Cartoon for Rakyat’ concept was inspired by his exhibition in Geneva which was held along Lake Lac Leman, and was organised by Cartooning For Peace Foundation.

Zunar said that an open and public-friendly exhibition would have more impact on Malaysia.

In May, Zunar received the 2016 Cartooning for Peace Award from Swiss Foundation Cartooning for Peace.

Last year, he won the International Press Freedom Award, given by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), while being the recipient of the Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammett Award for 2011 and 2015.

He is currently facing nine sedition charges for his critical comments over the jailing of Anwar Ibrahim – the former opposition leader – in February last year.