Malaysian editorial cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, better known as Zunar, has been arrested in a government crackdown on dissent. The New York Times reports that Zunar, who has long been targeted and harassed by the government for his cartoons, was detained after Lunar posted the following cartoon on Twitter.
Cartoon Zunar: PM Najib is the judge! pic.twitter.com/3FbAZQwxVm
— Zunar Cartoonist (@zunarkartunis) February 10, 2015
The police arrested Mr. Zulkiflee at his home Tuesday night and on Wednesday obtained a court order to detain him until Saturday, said his lawyer, Melissa Sasidaran.
?The authorities have been trying to get at Zunar for quite some time,? she said. ?They are worried that messages in his cartoons might get through to the people.?
Wishing all the best for friend and colleague, Zunar, one of the most delightful, gregarious fellows you’d every want to know and a true hero for the cause of freedom.