POLITICIANS should develop a thick skin if they want to remain in the job, said Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Aziz today.

As public figures, he said, they should be able to accept criticism and not be too sensitive about it, singling out “cartoonist critics” like Zunar and Fahmi Reza.

Nazri said both should continue drawing despite facing sedition charges for their work criticising the prime minster, his family members and the government.

“If you are very sensitive, then you got no business in politics,” said Nazri, at the opening of the Kartunis dan Kita (Cartoonist and Us) exhibition at Muzium Negara.

But, he said, cartoonists could criticise the politicians subtly.

“You do not really feel it if a cartoonist criticises you in his drawings. But one has to be careful and know the limit as we also have laws,” said Nazri.

Nazri said he is open to criticism, adding that there is no problem even criticising Prime Minister Najib Razak.

“I don’t mind. We cannot (be too sensitive). We have to have thick skin and not overly sensitive. I am open to criticism but do not get mad if I respond. I can be venomous. But I do not get personal.”

Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, is barred from leaving the country and was charged with sedition in 2015 over his tweets criticising the judiciary.

Artist Fahmi Reza was charged in 2016 with uploading an offensive image of Najib as clown.

He was charged under section of Malaysian communications and multimedia laws that forbid dissemination of content deemed to “annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass” others.

He is also subject of a sedition probe. – January 23, 2018.