Zunar 'blacklisted' from entering Kuching

Political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ul Haque, popularly known as Zunar, was allegedly blacklisted from entering Kuching, Sarawak due to reasons unknown.

However, he was then granted a three-day pass after negotiating with immigration officers.

Taking to Facebook, Zunar (above) claimed he was detained for three hours by immigration officers in Kuching yesterday.

“After negotiating with Kuching immigration, I was finally granted entry but only for three days,” he said.

He flew to Kuching to attend a cartoon drawing workshop at the La Promenade Mall, to be held today and tomorrow.

When contacted, Zunar said that no reasons were given for being blacklisted.

“I asked (the immigration officers) but they said they were under instruction. They don’t know what was the specific reason,” he told Malaysiakini.

He added that he had no issues entering Kuching during his last trip there in 2020.

Malaysiakini cannot independently verify these claims.

Sedition charges

Zunar was banned from travelling outside Malaysia for almost two years from June 2016 following an exhibition of his cartoons in Geneva, Switzerland. He was accused of tarnishing the country’s image by taking part in the exhibit.

He was taken off the Immigration Department’s blacklist in May 2018, following Pakatan Harapan’s win in the 14th general election.

Besides the prior travel ban, Zunar has had various books published by him seized by the government and his local exhibitions disrupted.

He has also been slapped with nine sedition charges over tweets criticising the judiciary over the conviction of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim in March 2015.

Zunar reminisces late Belafonte’s support during sedition charges

Police question Zunar, seize phone over Kedah MB comic

Zunar, fellow Asean cartoonists showcase 'hard-hitting' works online

'Intent to incite' - cops summon Zunar over 'Thaipusam cartoon' probe

Kedah MB cartoon - Zunar cites freedom of expression after Sedition Act report