Popular political cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque or Zunar has well over RM50,000 worth of reasons for demanding that the Home Ministry provide him with solid reasons for banning three of his books.

That sum, still rising, is what the government's move is costing Zunar from loss of sales.

book 1funny malaysia"I want a proper explanation for the reasons given by the ministry, that the book could influence people to revolt against the leaders and government policies," he said.

"These are serious allegations that should be supported with strong evidence," he added.

However, Zunar remains unfazed by the government's action, saying that the Home Ministry's continued threats will not put a stop to his struggles.

The cartoonist was responding to comments by the ministry's secretary-general Mahmood Adam that the three books were banned as they could influence the people to revolt against the leaders and government policies.

Not funny

NONEMahmood (left) also announced that the contents of 1Funny Malaysia, together with two other comic books - Perak Darul Kartun and Isu Dalam Kartun - were deemed not suitable and detrimental to public order.

The books were banned under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

Copies of 1Funny Malaysia and Where is Justice were initially confiscated in a series of raids on various bookstores in February this year.

 All three books were published by Malaysiakini's subsidiary Kinibooks.

In a related development, PAS information chief Idris Ahmad has come forward in support of the alternative voice as exemplified by Malaysiakini and Zunar's political satires.

"I feel sorry for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who seems to be ‘scared' by the cartoons published by Zunar," he added in a statement released today.

He also accused the Umno-led government of not being open to healthy criticism.