Now police call up exco member Malik on Zunar's cartoons

Police will question Penang executive councillor in charge of Islamic Affairs, Kassim, for giving permission to cartoonist Zunar to exhibit his artworks at Komtar.

Malik said the police contacted him on the matter and will be questioning him at his office today.

"It is in relation to me giving permission for Zunar's exhibition in my capacity as a state executive councillor," the PKR Batu Maung assemblyperson told Malaysiakini when contacted.

DAP's Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer, who is a lawyer, said the police would be questioning Malik at 6pm today.

Police detained Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, last Saturday for 24 hours for the exhibition of his works, which was to be held from last Friday until Dec 2.

The event was, on Friday afternoon itself, disrupted by about 30 members and supporters of the Penang Umno Youth wing, led by its chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim.

Zunar was arrested under the Sedition Act and under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentionally trying to breach peace and was released on police bail at 6.30pm yesterday.

The Umno Youth group acted roughly, hurled obscenities and punches at Zunar, while thrashing his artworks and damaging two of them.

In a police report lodged at the Northeast District police peadquarters, Rafizal said Zunar's cartoons "insulted and lied" about Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also Umno president and BN chief.

Bersih man ordered to give statement

Meanwhile, Bersih northern region coordinator Toh Kin Woon was told to give his statement at the Northeast District police headquarters on Jalan Pattani at 1pm today.

Toh, a former state executive councillor under the Gerakan-led administration in Penang prior to 2008, confirmed the matter.

"The police officer said this is with regard to speeches I made last night at the Esplanade (Padang Kota) and at the vigil on Nov 21 in front of the police headquarters (to seek the release of Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah)," Toh said.

Toh last night called for Maria, who is currently in solitary confinement in prison for organising Bersih's big rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 19, to be freed.

She was, on the eve of the rally, arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, which allows 28 days of detention, without trial.

Her writ of habeas corpus is slated to be heard tomorrow.

During the event at the Espanade last night, a rowdy group of 20 tried to barge into the gathering organised by Suaram, but they were held back by police and their riot personnel.

Bersih supporters have been holding nightly vigils calling for Maria's release, although attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has insisted that her detention "is according to law".- Mkini