Police quizzed Penang executive councillor in charge of Islamic Affairs, Abdul Malik Kassim, for giving permission to cartoonist Zunar to exhibit his artworks at Komtar.

Met outside his office on the 53rd floor of Komtar, Malik said two policemen from the Northeast Police Headquarters on Jalan Pattani queried him for 30 minutes on matters related to Zunar.

"They asked me what is my relationship to Zunar and his cartoon exhibition," Malik said, after the session with the police at 6.45 pm.

"Police are doing their job. I do not know under which sections of the law they are questioning me," he added.

"I'm here to assist them in their probe."

Victims probed, not troublemakers

His lawyer Cheah Kah Peng said the police seemed to focus on probing victims and not the "troublemakers".

"The troublemakers have yet to be nabbed or brought to court, we do not want the wrong message to be given to our community that wrongdoers are not charged in court but artists or cartoonists like Zunar are victimised," added the PKR Kebun Bunga assemblyperson.

 

 

Police detained Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, last Saturday for 24 hours for the exhibition of his works, which was to be held from last Friday until Dec 2.

The event was, on Friday afternoon itself, disrupted by about 30 members and supporters of the Penang Umno Youth wing, led by its chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim.

Zunar was arrested under the Sedition Act and under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentionally trying to breach peace and was released on police bail at 6.30pm yesterday.

The Umno Youth group acted roughly, hurled obscenities and punches at Zunar, while thrashing his artworks and damaging two of them.

In a police report lodged at the Northeast District police headquarters, Rafizal said Zunar's cartoons "insulted and lied" about Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Umno president and BN chief.

Bersih man ordered to give statement

Meanwhile, Bersih northern region coordinator Toh Kin Woon was told to give his statement at the Northeast District police headquarters on Jalan Pattani at 1pm today.

Toh, a former state executive councillor under the Gerakan-led administration in Penang prior to 2008, confirmed the matter.

"The police officer said this is with regard to speeches I made last night at the Esplanade (Padang Kota) and at the vigil on Nov 21 in front of the police headquarters (to seek the release of Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah)," Toh said.

Toh last night called for Maria, who is currently in solitary confinement in prison for organising Bersih's big rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 19, to be freed.

She was, on the eve of the rally, arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, which allows 28 days of detention, without trial.

During the event at the Esplanade last night, a rowdy group of 20 tried to barge into the gathering organised by Suaram, but they were held back by police and their riot personnel.

It is learnt that Bersih secretariat member Lee Chung Lun was also questioned by the police over the vigils held outside the Esplanade on Sunday and outside the police HQ last week.

Bersih supporters have been holding nightly vigils calling for Maria's release, although attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has insisted that her detention "is according to law".

Maria was released without an explanation this afternoon.