'Every page of Zunar's book seditious'
Hafiz YatimPublished: Jan 18, 2012 10:22 AM | Updated: Jan 18, 2012 2:29 PM
The police officer who arrested cartoonist Zunar on Sept 24, 2010 has deemed every page of the book ‘Cartoon-o-phobia’ to be seditious.
The police officer who arrested cartoonist Zunar on Sept 24, 2010 has deemed every page of the book ‘Cartoon-o-phobia’ to be seditious.
A Arikrishnan, replying Senior Federal Counsel Norhisham Ismail, said he had gone to Zunar’s office in Brickfields and inspected the book.
"I found each page containing cartoons referring to the country's leaders, the police, the judiciary, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and others ... these were seditious.
"It could have created hatred, misunderstanding, confusion and loss of trust in the various parties referred to.
"There were bad intentions to create misunderstanding between those of various races and religions."
Arikrishnan told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that, from his observations, the book should be banned.
He was the first defence witness in the civil suit brought by Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee SM Anwar Ulhaque and Sepakat Efektif Sdn Bhd, against the government and other parties for ‘unlawful detention’.
In giving an example, Arikrishnan said that page 17 of the book depicts three eras of Malaysia's leadership beginning with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Abdul Razak.
"Mahathir is depicted as a dictator, Abdullah is shown as not knowing about state affairs and the Najib administration is painted as one in which the judiciary, media and police are similar to those in Zimbabwe," he said.
Arikrishnan (left) said another illustration showed the judiciary to be under the prime minister’s control.
The officer said the cartoons on pages 54, 70, and 92 could affect religious and racial sensitivities.
Arikrishnan said that, on checking the premises, he found 66 copies of the book wrapped in packages.
"I seized all 66 copies ... and also a cardboard card (collage)."
The collage, Arikrishnan, had a sketch of Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor and (former MIC president) S Samy Vellu.
'Rights explained'
Arikrishnan said Zunar signed the search warrant under the watchful eyes of his lawyer Latheefa Koya.
"I ordered Zunar's arrest to assist investigations and issued a form under Section 28A of the Criminal Procedure Code explaining the rights of the arrested person," he said.
Arikrishnan said he took Zunar and the confiscated items to the Brickfields district police station and lodge a police report detailing the arrest and seizure.
"I referred the case to the Selangor police as the book was printed there. Following instructions from the district criminal investigation department, I handed over Zunar and the items to the investigating officer at the Petaling Jaya police."
Hearing was adjourned to Feb 28.
A Arikrishnan, replying Senior Federal Counsel Norhisham Ismail, said he had gone to Zunar’s office in Brickfields and inspected the book.
"I found each page containing cartoons referring to the country's leaders, the police, the judiciary, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and others ... these were seditious.
"It could have created hatred, misunderstanding, confusion and loss of trust in the various parties referred to. "There were bad intentions to create misunderstanding between those of various races and religions."
Arikrishnan told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that, from his observations, the book should be banned.
He was the first defence witness in the civil suit brought by Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee SM Anwar Ulhaque and Sepakat Efektif Sdn Bhd, against the government and other parties for ‘unlawful detention’.
In giving an example, Arikrishnan said that page 17 of the book depicts three eras of Malaysia's leadership beginning with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib Abdul Razak.
"Mahathir is depicted as a dictator, Abdullah is shown as not knowing about state affairs and the Najib administration is painted as one in which the judiciary, media and police are similar to those in Zimbabwe," he said.Arikrishnan (left) said another illustration showed the judiciary to be under the prime minister’s control.
The officer said the cartoons on pages 54, 70, and 92 could affect religious and racial sensitivities.
Arikrishnan said that, on checking the premises, he found 66 copies of the book wrapped in packages.
"I seized all 66 copies ... and also a cardboard card (collage)."
The collage, Arikrishnan, had a sketch of Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor and (former MIC president) S Samy Vellu.
'Rights explained'
Arikrishnan said Zunar signed the search warrant under the watchful eyes of his lawyer Latheefa Koya.
"I ordered Zunar's arrest to assist investigations and issued a form under Section 28A of the Criminal Procedure Code explaining the rights of the arrested person," he said.
Arikrishnan said he took Zunar and the confiscated items to the Brickfields district police station and lodge a police report detailing the arrest and seizure."I referred the case to the Selangor police as the book was printed there. Following instructions from the district criminal investigation department, I handed over Zunar and the items to the investigating officer at the Petaling Jaya police."
Hearing was adjourned to Feb 28.
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