The Kuala Lumpur High Court has put off for the second time its decision on the unlawful arrest and detention suit brought against the government by cartoonist Zunar.

Judicial commissioner Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera told counsel in chambers he needed more time to study the additional submissions filed last Wednesday by the government, the defendant in the suit.

NONE Lawyers Fadiah Nadwa Fikri and N Surendran appeared for Zunar ( right ), whose real name is Zulkiflee SM Anwar Ulhaque.

On June 27, Vazeer Alam sought more time for a decision, saying he also wanted both parties to address the issue of unlawful arrest under Article 5(3) of the federal constitution, on the individual's right to be informed of the reason for arrest.

Zunar and Sepakat Elektif Sdn Bhd - of which he is the director - are the plaintiffs in the suit.

They named arresting officer Arikrishna Apparau, investigating officer Marina Hashim, Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar, the Home Ministry and the government as defendants.

In his statement of claim, Zunar questioned the basis of his arrest, detention and seizure of his works, including copies of the book Cartoon-o-phobia .

He called the action unlawful and a violation of his freedom of expression under the constitution.

Zunar is seeking general, exemplary and aggravated damages, an order that his works be returned to him and special damages of RM1,650 for his artwork.

After his arrest, Zunar was taken to several police stations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, and was held under remand for a night at the KL International Airport police lock-up.