Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar described humour as subjective in responding to mounting criticisms over the arrest of political cartoonist Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, better known as Zunar, who often lampooned the prime minister and his wife.

To illustrate his point, Khalid cited the case of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which became the target of a terror attack for its cartoons on Prophet Muhammad.

“Charlie Hebdo is a classic example. The West considered it freedom of expression, but the cartoons offended hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world.

“Not only Muslims, but numerous people of other faiths also questioned the need to mock the beliefs of others.

“Unfortunately, some extremists translated this anger into violence and murder,” Khalid told Malaysiakini.

However, Khalid stressed that he was not comparing the works of Zunar to the cartoons published in Charlie Hebdo, or suggesting that it would lead to a similar attack.

“I better make that clear first before some people accuse me of comparing the two.

“The point I am making is that humour is subjective. There are several issues, such as the laws in a particular country, as well as racial and religious sensitivities,” he added.

For example, he said, if Charlie Hebdo operated in Malaysia and published such cartoons, action would have been taken against the magazine, its editors and publisher.

“That is the law here. But in the West, the law permits them to continue printing such material,” he added.

‘Action taken within scope of the law’

As for Zunar, Khalid said the action taken was within the scope of the law, and the court process would determine if the cartoonist had committed a wrongdoing.

“Our task is to act on complaints, investigate, compile evidence and submit our findings to the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“Whether or not he is to be charged is up to the AG’s Chambers,” he added.

At a press conference in Penang earlier, Khalid, in response to a question on whether Zunar would be allowed to hold public exhibitions, quipped that the cartoonist should stick to “nice drawings” like Donald Duck.

The police chief said that if Zunar insisted on showcasing works that allegedly insulted the country’s leaders, then he would have to face legal consequences.

Similarly, he added, the police would also act against those who drew such cartoons against opposition leaders.

Zunar was arrested last weekend under the Sedition Act and Section 504 of the Penal Code for attempting to breach the peace.

This was after his exhibition was disrupted by a group led by Penang Umno Youth chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim.

In the ensuing chaos, two of Zunar's pieces were damaged and the cartoonist was punched a number of times.

Khalid said the group which stormed the exhibition in Penang’s Komtar was also being investigated.