'Criticising gov't not Sedition Act offence, yet Zunar nabbed'

Cartoonist Zunar's arrest under the Sedition Act over cartoons lampooning the government is against amendments made to Act last year, said anti-Sedition Act group Gerakan Hapus Akta Hasutan (GHAH).

Section 3(1)(c) of the Act, which had considered criticism against government as an act of sedition, was removed in the amendments passed on April 10, 2015, and gazetted on Jun 4 last year.

However, the government said in March that no date has been set for its enforcement.

"The arrest shows the government is now desperate and continues to intimidate the rakyat using this irrelevant and cruel law," GHAH coordinator Amir Abdul Hadi said in a statement.

"We see this as a sign that the government will continue to use his draconian law to curtail freedom of speech, despite its vow to repeal it in 2012," he said.

As such, GHAH will next month launch a "mega campaign" to call for the Act's repeal, he said.

Zunar, or his full name Zulkiflee Anwar ul Haque was arrested under the Sedition Act yesterday, after a mob thrashed his exhibition in the Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (Komtar) building in George Town, Penang.

He is to be released today after one day's remand.

"Zunar is an artist with global recognition. It is truly unfortunate that this Cartooning for Peace global award recipient is treated this way.

"He is a warrior for democracy which should be respected for playing a significant role in pushing us towards a more mature democracy," Amir said.- Mkini