Popular political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque or Zunar has well over RM50,000 worth of reasons for demanding that the Home Ministry provide him with solid reasons for banning three of his books.


 That sum, still rising, is what the government's move is costing Zunar from loss of sales.


 <img align="right" alt="book 1funny malaysia" height="182" src="https://i.malaysiakini.com/236/5c08261d323949e12894b38d3b91ee45.jpg" width="259"/>
 "I want a proper explanation for the reasons given by the ministry, that the book could influence people to revolt against the leaders and government policies," he said.


 "These are serious allegations that should be supported with strong evidence," he added.


 However, Zunar remains unfazed by the government's action, saying that the Home Ministry's continued threats will not put a stop to his struggles.


 The cartoonist was responding to comments by the ministry's secretary-general Mahmood Adam that the three books were banned as they could influence the people to
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/135487" target="_blank">
 
 revolt against
 
 </a>
 the leaders and government policies.


 
 
 Not funny
 
 


 <img align="left" alt="NONE" height="268" src="https://i.malaysiakini.com/232/9bc749281b4057bf389b944960098387.jpg" width="200"/>
 Mahmood (
 
 left
 
 ) also announced that the contents of
 
 1Funny Malaysia
 
 , together with two other comic books -
 
 Perak Darul Kartun
 
 and
 
 Isu Dalam Kartun -
 
 were deemed not suitable and detrimental to public order.


 The books were banned under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.


 Copies of
 
 1Funny Malaysia
 
 and
 
 Where is Justice
 
 were initially confiscated in a series
 
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/124306" target="_blank">
 of raids
 </a>
 
 on various bookstores in February this year.


 &nbsp;All three books were published by
 
 Malaysiakini
 
 's subsidiary Kinibooks.


 In a related development, PAS information chief Idris Ahmad has come forward in support of the alternative voice as exemplified by
 
 Malaysiakini
 
 and Zunar's political satires.


 "I feel sorry for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who seems to be &lsquo;scared' by the cartoons published by Zunar," he added in a statement released today.


 He also accused the Umno-led government of not being open to healthy criticism.

<img align="left" alt="NONE" height="64" src="http://mk-cdn.mkini.net/269/bbac1af8edd0299320e00481f39d8fb3.jpg" width="64"/>
Any nation, especially a democratic one, will treasure creativity among its citizenry - but unfortunately not ours.

Explain book ban, Zunar tells gov't

~RM12

Sign up for Kini Morning Brief

ABOUT

DIGITAL NETWORK

TERMS OF USE

GENERAL LINE

SUBSCRIPTION / TECH SUPPORT

EDITORIAL

LOCATION

RSS FEEDS