Government told to pay Zunar RM1,000 over book ban

Cartoonist Zunar (left) holding a copy of ‘Sapuman: Man of Steal’ and the home ministry’s letter revoking the ban on it. With him are his lawyers N Surendran (middle) and Latheefa Koya (right). (Facebook pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been ordered to pay cartoonist Zunar a nominal sum of RM1,000 for banning his book, “Sapuman: Man of Steal” two years ago.

Lawyer Zaid Malek, representing Zunar, said High Court deputy registrar Firdaus Sidqi Sharil Azli made the order in chambers today.

“The court allowed him to claim general damages over the book ban but rejected his claim for special damages,” he said.

The government was represented by senior federal counsel Jamilah Jamil.

Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee SM Anwarul Haque, filed a court challenge last year against the then-government for banning “Sapuman”, a compilation of caricatures poking fun at government leaders, particularly former prime minister Najib Razak.

He claimed he was not informed about the ban, which he said the home ministry had made in bad faith.

The ministry said then that “Sapuman” was banned under Section 7 (1) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act as it could alarm public opinion.

The ban was revoked in August last year by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. - FMT