The notion that Malaysia is the laughing stock of the world could soon be proven true, as political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaq holds his first solo exhibition in London.

NONE Popularly known as Zunar, the Malaysiakini cartoonist has satirised such diverse subjects as the National Feedlot Corporation Scandal, purchase of Scorpene submarines, and even  Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister’s wife.

These will feature among the 80 cartoons to be displayed for a month from Feb 15 under the theme ‘To fight through cartoon'. The pieces will highlight issues like abuse of power, corruption and human rights violations.

“The theme was selected based on the restraints and pressure I’ve received from the government,” Zunar said, referring to the banning of his seven cartoon books and frequent harassment including raids on his office.

NONE Last year, he was arrested under the Sedition Act. Those who print his books have been threatened and told to stop, he said, while bookshops across the country have been warned not to sell his books.

“I am suing the government for what was, in my view, an unlawful arrest. The hearing will resume in the Kuala Lumpur High Court tomorrow,” he said.

This will be Zunar’s first solo exhibition in his 30-year career, and will be held at the Free World Centre in Farrington Road . Prior to this, he had held two exhibitions with other artists in Bilbao, Spain.

NONE Organised by freedom of expression pressure group Article 19, the exhibition will be opened by Radio Free Sarawak and Sarawak Report founder Clare Rewcastle-Brown, and National Association of Human Rights president Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.

Tickets are on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and should be booked via the event website or email: sonya@article19.org

Zunar's latest book of cartoons entitled ‘Even My Pen Has a Stand’ is published by Malaysiakini and can be purchased online .