In order for Malaysians, especially those in rural areas, to fully comprehend the Scorpene submarine scandal, human rights NGO Suaram and well-known cartoonist Zunar have collaborated on a 32-page cartoon series.

Titled Hikayat Pak Monggol & Scorpene (The tale of Pak Monggol & Scorpene), Suaram describes the booklet as “a depiction of the Scorpene scandal in simple, catchy and witty story form, to enable a simple and interesting understanding of a complex corruption scandal”.

The comic book is designed specifically for those living in the rural areas, especially in areas out of the reach of social media.

NONE The entire booklet, to be sold at RM5 per copy, is filled with black-and-white drawings, with very minimum text in Bahasa Malaysia.

Suaram secretariat member Cynthia Gabriel ( left ) said that they are using a “creative approach” to present the issue so as to reach out to as many Malaysians as possible.

“One of the best and most creative approaches is to actually laugh at something that is so difficult to understand, digest and to beat the propaganda in the mainstream media,” she said during a press conference yesterday.

Zunar: Cartoon the best medium

Zunar, whose real name is Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, agreed with Gabriel as the scandal is too technical and complicated when presented in more common forms.

“We thought cartoon is the best medium because people can understand cartoons very well,” he said, adding the graphical aspect of the book will help it to stick in people’s minds.

Describing the simplicity of the book, he said it tackles the basics of the Scorpene scandal as “we want people to know the basic story first”.

NONE “For me as a cartoonist, I am very happy to be involved in this project. This is my contribution to the nation and to help Suaram.

“I hope that everybody in Malaysia will understand this issue before the general election so they can take part; (and so) that they can really understand who they want to vote for,” expressed Zunar ( right ).

Both Gabriel and Zunar assured that everything drawn in the book are based on real facts obtained from official sources, ranging from the media to court cases.

The book will be officially launched on Nov 29, with plans to distribute it throughout Suaram’s network of contacts.