Cartoonist Zunar freed after a day’s remand

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/cartoonist-zunar-freed-after-a-days-remand/

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Political satirist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, or more popularly known as Zunar, was released today just hours after the police obtained a one-day remand order from the Sepang magistrate’s court.

The release was confirmed by one of his lawyers, Murnie Hidayah Anuar.

“He was released on police bail, and will have to report to the police in two weeks’ time,” Murnie told The Malaysian Insider.

It is still unclear if the former Suara Keadilan editor would be charged.

Zulkiflee (picture) was arrested yesterday under section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act and was later taken to the Sepang police lockup.

He was presented before magistrate Zulhelmy Hassan this morning when the one-day remand order was issued, allegedly without the presence of his lawyers.

His office in Brickfields was raided yesterday and the police seized copies of his new book titled “Cartoon-o-phobia”.

The raid came several hours before the planned launch of the book, which was officiated by the ousted Perak Pakatan Rakyat Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin.

Zunar has had three other books — “1 Funny Malaysia”, “Perak Darul Kartun” and “Isu Dalam Kartun” — banned by the Home Ministry.

Earlier today, the police also visited the office of Malaysiakini, which publishes Zunar’s cartoons.

According to a Malaysiakini report, the police searched for copies of the book, but left empty-handed an hour later.

“Cartoon-o-phobia” is a compilation of political comic strips published in the news portal.