Tag: malaysia

Sedition Laws a Legacy of Colonialism Worldwide

For many Americans, the criminal offense of sedition–that is, criticism of the government–probably conjures up the notorious but short-lived Sedition Act of 1798, which played an important role in the election of 1800 but was allowed to expire the following…

Malaysian Artist Charged for Viral Image of PM as Clown

Malaysian artist Fahmi Reza is facing sedition charges for depicting Prime Minister Najib Razak in clown makeup, an image that originally appeared online but has since proliferated in street art throughout the capital of Kuala Lumpur. After learning of those…

Zunar Accused of “Economic Sabotage” Over Geneva Exhibit

In response to the cartoonist’s recent exhibition of his political cartoons in Geneva, a member of the Malaysian government is now accusing Zunar of committing “economic sabotage” and plotting to “topple the prime minister.” The exhibit Cartooning for Peace celebrates…

Zunar and Gado Win Cartooning for Peace Prize

In recognition of their respective fights against censorship and repressive governments, political cartoonists Zunar and Gado have been jointly awarded the biennial International Editorial Cartoons Prize from the organization Cartooning for Peace. In conjunction with the prize, their work and…

New Malaysian Museum Dares to Exhibit Zunar Cartoons

There’s some rare good news for Zunar this week: despite the nine charges of sedition currently hanging over his head, the Malaysian political cartoonist’s work is now on display in a dedicated section of the brand-new Asia Comic Cultural Museum…

Zunar Sedition Trial Delayed Yet Again to April 7

The sedition trial of Malaysian cartoonist Zunar has been delayed yet again to April 7, he reported via Twitter this week. After multiple delays while a separate challenge to the country’s Sedition Act is pending, the trial had been set…

Censors Have No Love For the Merc With A Mouth

This past weekend, moviegoers in the U.S. may have enjoyed one of the most highly anticipated comic book movies of the year, Deadpool, but several other countries around the world were not amused by the Merc with a Mouth. From…

On a Loop: Zunar’s Sedition Trial Delayed Once Again

The trial of Malaysian cartoonist Zunar was set to begin yesterday, but has once again been delayed while a separate challenge to the country’s Sedition Act is pending. A new start date has been set for March 9. If convicted…

Zunar to Join US Colleagues for California Free Expression Conference

Embattled Malaysian cartoonist Zunar and four U.S. colleagues will join in a roundtable discussion this Friday at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. The event kicks off a three-day conference called What Cannot Be Said: Freedom of Expression…