Cartoonist Zunar freed after police record statement, says lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR — Cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque was released today (April 3) after the police recorded a statement from him, lawyer Latheefa Koya said.

“A short statement was taken from him in connection with a posting on Facebook,” she said.

Ms Latheefa said lawyer Michelle Yesudas was present when the recording officer took the statement from Mr Zulkifilee, also known as Zunar.

She also confirmed that the cartoonist was questioned for an offence under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 over a picture of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s face superimposed on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) secretary-general Rafizi Ramli’s body in his purple police lock-up attire.

The photograph was posted on The Zunar Kartunis Fan Club Facebook page which Ms Latheefa said the cartoonist had no control over.

Mr Zunar was arrested at the Jalan Duta Court Complex in Kuala Lumpur today soon after he posted bail for nine counts of sedition earlier today.

He was slapped with nine sedition charges over his tweets on Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy conviction.

He claimed trial to the charges and was freed on a RM22,500 (S$8,350) bail.

Sessions Court judge Zanol Rashid Hussain allowed the prosecution’s application that the charges be heard by a single judge. THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER