Political cartoonist Zunar has given Penang police 14 days to return 20 seized artworks or face legal action.
Zunar said the artworks, which the police had seized as evidence in a probe, were worth about RM62,000.
The letter of demand issued by the cartoonist is dated March 26, and also seeks an apology from the Penang police for the seizure.
"It has been (nearly) two years, and they have not charged me after arresting me and remanding me for two days, so they should return my artworks.
"I want a response to my letter of demand in 14 days, and to apologise to me for seizing my artworks. This has affected my livelihood," Zunar told reporters at the Malay Gallery on Chulia Street today.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Penang police chief A Thaiveegan said that he had directed his officers to check on the status of the case.
Zunar, the pen name of Zulkiflee Anwarul Haque, had a 2016 exhibition in Komtar disrupted by Penang Umno Youth, led by its chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim.
Rafizal had said the cartoons were an insult to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
The next day, Zunar was arrested over the alleged insult, with police seizing his displayed artworks to assist with their investigation.
The cartoonist was subsequently remanded for two days, but was never charged.
Zunar's lawyer, Cecil Rajendra (photo) said the artworks were seized "without just cause or reason" and police also raided his exhibition unlawfully.
"As a result of the police action, our client was deprived of his right to livelihood and his reputation was severely tarnished.
"Though it is now over 14 months since the said seizure and detention, the police have offered no explanation or justification for their high-handed action, nor have they returned our client’s artworks," Cecil said.
Systematic harassment
Cecil also described the systematic harassment of Zunar as reminiscent of the treatment of dissidents and independent artists under the Soviet regime of Josef Stalin.
The lawyer added that the "hounding" of Zunar also reminded him of the 22-year reign of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
During this time, he said, people with differing views were locked up under the Internal Security Act 1960, newspapers were shut down, theatre licenses revoked, and the passport of at least one poet were impounded.
However, he added that things hardly seem to be improving.
"At the launch of the National Human Rights Action Plan, Najib alluded to the 22-year regime of draconian legislation, and promised that these things will not happen again.
"In Parliament, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said reiterated the government's commitment to human rights, and to giving more space to dissenting views, unlike the time of the 22-year autocratic rule.
"Therefore, make good your promises and commitments to human rights, withdraw all charges against Zunar, return his seized books and drawings and allow him latitude to pursue his artistic life," Cecil stressed.
Zunar was awarded the "Cartoonist for Peace Award 2016" by Swiss foundation Cartooning for Peace honorary president Kofi Annan.
At present, he is barred from travelling overseas, and is facing nine charges of sedition for his cartoons, which have been deemed a threat to national security. - Mkini
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