Zunar's latest animation marks Altantuya's death

Political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, who is better known as Zunar, has released his latest animation on to commemorate the seventh death anniversary of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The video, dated Oct 24 and titled ‘Antutuya Committed Suicide', is Zunar's second animation based on the murder of Altantuya, which he says is to remind the people of the injustice of the Malaysian authorities to Altantuya and her family.

Though names have been changed, the animation makes obvious references to the allegations surrounding her murder, in particular to claims that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was involved.

"This is an important and controversial issue in the country. It reflects the injustice and unfairness towards the victim and her family.

"I want to remind the people about this issue and to give sympathy and support to her family, topm whom justice has been denied," Zunar told Malaysiakini when contacted today.

He added that the names were changed because such was the nature of satirical work, but most Malaysians would be able to figure out who the people featured in the animation are.

Altantuya was shot dead and her remains were blown up in Shah Alam on Oct 18, 2006, with C4 explosives from the Defence Ministry.

Her murder case is significant in Malaysian politics, as allegations have been circling that Najib, who was deputy prime minister and defence minister at that time, was involved.

Najib has denied the allegations. The Court of Appeal recentlyacquitted the two police Special Action Unit officers, Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar, who had been convicted by the High Court for the murder of Altantuya.
"I want to raise greater awareness about this issue among the people. The more people are aware of this, the greater the pressure will be imposed on the authorities to resolve the murder of Altantuya.

"I hope Altantuya's family will receive the fairness and justice they deserve, and that those who were involved in her murder are punished," Zunar said.

His first animation, based on the Altantuya murder, shows a ghost of her rising from the grave and heading to Putrajaya in search of Najib. 

"I will be doing a third animation on Altantuya, which will be based on the trials in court," Zunar said.

Zunar ventured into animation last year and has made three animations, two based on the killing of Altantuya and the other titled ‘Bila bik mama pakai celana' (When Big Mama wears pants) - apparently a jab at Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

"Animation, with its visuals and sounds, gives more impact than still images.

"It is very rare in the world for people to produce political cartoons. It is very seldom that people produce such animations," Zunar, said adding that this would be a breakthrough in the new media realm.

However, Zunar said, he was facing financial challenges in creating animations for the Internet because this can be accessed by anyone, for free.

"Money is needed to create animations. People who do animations normally will get them played on television stations, but we all do this for free.

"It is a challenge to be an animator who can produce animations and knowing that he or she will not get any funds in return," he said.

However, he added, he regards animations as a social responsibility of cartoonists.

Zunar collaborates with Padang Bata Studios for his creations.