Police arrest cartoonist Zunar

Cartoonist Zunar was detained by the police at about 6pm today while he was giving his statement the Timur Laut district police headquarters here.

The arrest of the cartoonist, whose real name is Zulkiflee SM Anwar Ulhaque, is believed to be in connection with his solo exhibition held in Komtar here yesterday.

Timur Laut district police chief ACP Mior Farid Al-Atrash Wahid when contacted said, Zunar's detention was made under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 504 of the Penal Code.

READ: UMNO Youth lodges police report over Zunar's cartoon exhibition

Yesterday, Penang UMNO Youth lodged a police report over the exhibition after it claimed that the artwork was deemed rude and provocative.

Its chief, Rafizal Abdul Rahim criticised Zunar and the Penang government for exhibiting and allowing the exhibition of the artwork which allegedly mocked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, to take place.

On Friday, a group of men stormed the cartoonist's exhibition which was held at the 3rd floor of Komtar, forcing it to be called off, following a commotion.

The action was taken in protest of the exhibition which they claimed featured paintings which insulted government leaders, seditious in nature and could threaten public order.

Following that, the exhibition which was originally scheduled to run for three days had to be discontinued for safety reasons.

A police report has also been made and it is understood that Zunar will be remanded on Sunday to assist in investigation.