Listing out the times he or his associates were arrested as well as his books confiscated in incidents that date as far back as 2009, Zunar said there was a pattern that was apparent.
“The pattern shows that the government’s actions are directly proportionate to the increased level of corruption and injustices. A corrupt government fears cartoons.
“I would like to point out my stand: talent is not a gift, but a responsibility. It is my responsibility as a cartoonist to expose corruption and injustices.
“Do I fear jail? Yes, but responsibility is bigger than fear. You can ban my books, you can ban my cartoons, but you cannot ban my mind,” Zunar said repeating his previous challenge to the government and reiterating that he will keep drawing “until the last drop of my ink”.
Summarising his plight, Zunar said that despite being a responsible citizen of the country he has been banned from travelling overseas, faces nine charges under the Sedition Act, had his cartoons banned, had three printing offices which published his books raided, and also had his webmasters arrested.
The latest incident occurred on Saturday, when Zunar was arrested at a fund-raising event held at the KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur. Four other people were also arrested by police who raided the venue during the talk, entitled “Tea with Zunar”.
Speaking about his latest arrest Zunar said: “I was questioned for almost six hours and released on bail at midnight (the same day). I would have to report back to the police station on Dec 30.
“According to the police, they will apply a law to forfeit my rights (lucut hak) over my books,” he said.
This latest arrest came barely a month after he was detained in Penang for a breach of peace under the Penal Code and the Sedition Act.
On Nov 26, Zunar was arrested and detained in the police lock-up while he was at his exhibition in Komtar, as part of a George Town cultural celebration. The arrest came a day after a pro-government mob from Umno Youth disrupted his exhibition and destroyed some of his artwork.
Both times, police confiscated thousands of his books, T-shirts, artwork and other Zunar memorabilia.