Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

IT looks like Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is still not used to the idea of being a public figure, even though he is quite adept at using powers at his disposal.

As a public figure, and especially one that occupies the top post in the state, Sanusi is situated in a public domain where he is subjected to public scrutiny, irrespective of whether he likes it.

What he does and says in public carry weight in various ways, are likely to be reported by the media and also become digestible fodder for cartoonists, particularly Zulkiflee SM Anwar Ulhaque, more popularly known as Zunar.

This explains how Zunar’s caricature was caught in Sanusi’s crosshairs recently, sparking anxiety and even anger from the MB and his party’s youth wing.

PAS Youth leader Nurul Amin Hamid even called on the authorities to slap the controversial Sedition Act on the irrepressible cartoonist for what he considers a slander on the Kedah leader.

Nurul Amin’s action, and by extension, Sanusi, indicates an inability to appreciate the fact that criticisms, and this one takes the form of a caricature, in a democracy should be taken in your stride.

Controversial public figures, and Sanusi fits the bill, are bound to catch the creative imagination of cartoonists and stand-up comics, who will highlight and exaggerate actions of these figures the comics consider worthy of public attention.

Sanusi’s recent controversial actions of cancelling Thaipusam as a public holiday in the state and his attempt to charge water that flows to Penang along Sungai Muda earned the wrath of many people, including Hindus, opposition politicians, critics and concerned citizens.

It is, therefore, conceivable that Zunar – known for his wit and grit, which is expressed on his canvas over the years – finds the character called Sanusi as a person that cannot escape his curious and artistic attention.

As he rightly said, he caricatures public figures as part of his right to expression in a democracy such as Malaysia.

You could even argue that Zunar is one of the few Malaysians who would test the limits of freedom of expression in Malaysia from time to time.

This explains why he had brushes with the law in the past, particularly during the Najib Razak administration, which brooked no dissent. Zunar fought nine sedition charges, of which if convicted, he would have been in the slammer for 43 years.

The thing about certain controversial figures is that – even if for one moment cartoonists, critics and comedians in the land are completely muzzled – they can still make a fool of themselves in public on their own without the help of anyone else.

Former US president Donald Trump comes to mind here. He made ridiculous comments about opponents and certain countries and tweeted in a language that many of his predecessors would find unpalatable, so that he became an overnight sensation for critics, cartoonists and comedians – with enough material to last them for a lifetime.

Trump is obviously an extreme example of a mockable figure, which no local political leaders worth their salt should strive to emulate.

It also goes to show that there is a decorum to be observed and, of course, required intelligence to guide a public figure to tread on a path less controversial and funny, especially knowing that every step he or she takes is within the view of the critics or cartoonists.

Public figures should learn to live with criticisms and caricatures in a democracy. – January 26, 2021.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.