He’s got 99 problems, but anonymity ain’t one of ‘em. As a notorious cartoon satirist, Zunar is the bane of local ruling elites. Courting enmity for his lampooning of Malaysian politicking, he’s also become somewhat of a hero to regular citizenry. And now, to add to his ever expanding display cabinet, is the 2016 Swiss Foundation Cartooning for Peace Award.
Presented in Geneva by honorary president Kofi Annan, Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque (as Zunar was born) was also featured back in our August 2015 issue. In our piece, he was one of six supremely courageous individuals who did not, would not and could not bow to the pressures of conformity.
Refusing to be intimidated by regimes, he once said, “How can I be neutral, when even my pen has a stand?”
Currently facing numerous sedition charges that could earn him several decades in jail, he also won last year’s International Press Freedom Award, given by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.
His message to August Man readers back then? “Laugh, before they ban laughing”
Our best wishes are with Zunar, who continues to be the ironic voice of reason and reflection.
Zunar, August Man Malaysia, August 2015