CARTOONIST Zunar has questioned police inaction on exhibitions by Umno lampooning the opposition, especially considering the speedy reaction on other similar exhibitions in the past.

Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque was responding to the mocking caricatures of Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders, which are on display at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) where Umno’s 71st annual general assembly is taking place this week.

“My message to Umno. Go ahead, do as many cartoon exhibitions as you want.

“But my question is, why when I did similar exhibitions with an opposite subject in Penang, why did Umno come and physically attacked me?

“They (Umno) really have no dignity and no shame,” said Zunar.

The exhibition installed by the Umno information bureau on the ground floor of PWTC features about 20 anti-DAP images.

According to party members on duty at the exhibition, the show was the idea of Umno information chief Annuar Musa. Umno president Najib Razak would launch it this afternoon.

“When myself and Fahmi Reza did exhibitions, you come arrest us with sedition and multimedia laws, but are silent when Umno does.

“I am not asking police to arrest Umno’s cartoonist. But why (the) double standard?”, he said.

In July, Zunar has cancelled his first street exhibition in Penang due to “threats from a group of troublemakers”.

The exhibition entitled “Ketawa Pink-Pink” featuring a certain woman and her pink diamond jewellery was to be opened from 8am to noon in Lebuh Pantai on July 30.

However in a statement on July 29, Zunar said the show had to be cancelled after learning that Penang Umno Youth was distributing posters to get members to “visit” the exhibition.

Zunar’s last show in Penang on November 25 last year was also disrupted by local Umno Youth members.

The next day, he was arrested and detained a day by police, who were investigating him for breach of peace under the Sedition Act and the Penal Code.

On December 17 last year, police raided the Tea with Zunar event at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Police seized 1,187 books and 103 T-shirts that were to be auctioned for charity, and arrested Zunar.

In May last year the cartoonist received the 2016 Cartooning for Peace Award from former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan in Geneva. – December 5, 2017.