ZUNAR has released a new comic book to fight racism, an issue that the political cartoonist said is getting worse in Malaysia, stoked by even Pakatan Harapan leaders.

Titled “Cartoons Against Racism”, the comic is the second produced by Zunar – real name Zulkiflee S.M. Anwarul Haque – since PH took power last year.

“Cartoons Against Racism is part of my ‘nation rebuilding’ mission,” he said in a statement today.

“This book is published in the midst of the raging fires of racism and prejudice, stoked daily by certain groups and political parties. It is made worse when some leaders in the ruling government are doing nothing to stop it. Some even encourage these negative politics.”

The comic contains 48 illustrations, with harmony and combating racism being the key themes. A Bahasa Malaysia version, titled “Kartun Anti Racism”, is also available.

“Through my cartoons, I would like to remind readers that racism degrades the mind. If we don’t tackle it quickly, it will be a massive obstacle in nation-building,” said Zunar.

His first book since PH won the 14th general election, a biography titled “Fight Through Cartoons”, was released in May.

Under the previous Barisan Nasional government, 11 of Zunar’s publications were banned for allegedly breaching the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

Among his most popular works are those that take a jab at former prime minister Najib Razak for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd fiasco, and Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, over her lavish lifestyle.

In 2016, Zunar received the Cartooning for Peace Award. He accepted the prize from the late Kofi Annan, who was former United Nations secretary-general and honorary president of the Cartooning for Peace Foundation in Geneva.

In August last year, the PH government lifted the ban on Zunar’s Sapuman: Man of Steal.

Cartoons Against Racism is priced at RM30. It will be launched on Sunday afternoon at Apom Store, Bangsar Village 1 in Bangsar.

The comic will also be up for sale at www.zunar.my. – November 6, 2019.