A Biased and Comical Judgement

By Zunar

I am referring to the High Court’s decision in dismissing my judicial review application to challenge the banning of my cartoon books, “1Funny Malaysia” and “Perak Darul Kartun” by the Home Minister on 14 July 2011.

Although this is expected, I am disappointed with the court’s decision. In her judgment, Judge Rohana Yusof said, she agreed with the government’s argument that “1Funny Malaysia” and “Perak Darul Kartun” are detrimental to public order.

But she failed to address the core issue: in what context are my cartoon books, or its content can be regarded as detrimental to public order as stated by the government as a reason of the banning? Which one of the 150 hundred pieces of cartoons in these two books is dangerous to the public?

I am sad that the court chooses to ignore the freedom of expression as provided by the Federal Constitution and support the government’s move to suppress the objective editorial cartoons.

By upholding the banning, the court fails to acknowledge the role of political cartoonists as the ‘check and balance’ agents, as practiced in any democratic country.

Therefore, I think the judgment is biased and comical.

This is a sad day in Malaysian cartooning industry.

It kills the future younger generation of critical cartoonists that can contribute in developing the nation.

I will continue to draw cartoons to expose the corruptions of the Najib government, as this is a duty of an editorial cartoonist.