POLITICAL cartoonist Zunar today questioned the lack of institutional reforms by Pakatan Harapan almost a year since the pact won federal power.

The artist, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, said while he did not expect PH to be able to do much in terms of uplifting the economy due to the previous government’s years of corrupt practices, the new administration should have implemented a number of reforms by now.

“What is crucial are institutional and legislative reforms. There is none now.

“We do see that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has the freedom to make arrests, but they are arresting those from the old administration, and not those currently in power.

“And, we still have laws like the Printing Presses and Publications Act. So, we can’t guarantee press freedom,” he told reporters at the opening of his exhibition, Art of Freedom, at Penang’s Dewan Sri Pinang this afternoon.

He said reforms must be implemented now, and the pace of efforts towards this end cannot depend on the preferences of the prime minister of the day.

“If the PM likes buildings, we will have many buildings. If the PM likes to sleep, we will become slow.”

Zunar told the audience at the exhibition, which was opened by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, not to think he will shy away from drawing cartoons critical of the ruling pact.

“There are many people who are dissatisfied even though the government has changed. Many Malaysians thought that their duty as the people ended on May 10 last year.

“They think that now is the time to make demands of the new government, and make noise on Facebook. But that is the wrong way of thinking. The job is not done.

“We have to stand together in building this nation. That’s not just the job of the government and politicians. As a cartoonist, I will continue to draw, to do my part.”

He joked that his job is now tougher without his “muse” Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak.

“She was very ‘cartoonable’. Now I miss her. I had difficulty drawing, became depressed.

“I even saw a doctor, who told me I suffered from ‘post-Rosmah syndrome’. He said it was temporary, and I would find someone new (to inspire me).”

Zunar said he is planning to publish a book of cartoons to educate children about the dangers of corruption, adding that he is discussing the content with friends.

In his speech, Anwar praised Zunar as a “concerned public intellectual”, commendable writer and good editor who has been part of the Reformasi movement for 20 years.

The Port Dickson MP said not everyone has the talent and ability to understand political issues and the people’s sentiment, as well as the courage to use art to criticise the powers that be.

He urged the cartoonist to continue his work “fiercely and independently”, even if the latter “may put PH leaders in the dock”.

“I have seen some of his recent works. Although we won’t rejoice at it as much as we did when he was drawing Najib and Rosmah, we have to acknowledge and accept criticism.

“Partly, I regret and am ashamed that we in the PH government have not done more.”

Anwar added that he is personally indebted to Zunar, whose works were smuggled into prison by the former’s lawyers when he was behind bars. – May 5, 2019.