Malaysian cartoonist Zunar has finally been acquitted of the sedition charges leveled at him in 2015 by Malaysia’s previous ruling party. The nine charges stemmed, not from his political cartoons, but for his tweets about the corruption of the government,…
Tag: sedition
Fahmi Reza Fined, Sentenced to Prison
Malaysian graphic designer, artist, and activist Fahmi Reza has been sentenced to a month in jail and a RM30,000 (around $7,700) fine for uploading a sketch depicting Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a clown. Reza was found guilty of spreading…
Trivedi Calls Out Indian Government on Continued Exploitation of Sedition Law
Indian political cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, who was arrested and charged with sedition in 2012 before the charges were ultimately dropped, has warned in a new interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the state of free expression in his country…
Malaysia Bans Another Zunar Book, Ignoring UN Reprimand
Zunar, the Malaysian cartoonist charged with nine counts of sedition which could net him up to 43 years in prison, got some much-needed international support last month when a United Nations envoy for cultural rights expressed “deep concern” about the…
Zunar Cancels Cartoon Exhibition After Threats from Government Supporters
Zunar, the Malaysian political cartoonist currently facing 10 sedition charges for criticizing the government of Prime Minister Najib Razak, was forced to cancel a planned cartoon exhibition this week after thinly veiled threats from the ruling party’s youth wing. Last…
‘Seditious’ Malaysian Artist Encourages Compatriots to Hold Government Accountable
Fahmi Reza, the Malaysian graphic designer and activist who is currently facing sedition charges for depicting Prime Minister Najib Razak as a clown, took his message of resistance to Malaysian expatriates in Australia last week. Even as his case is…
Zunar Faces New Sedition Charge After Mob Disrupts Cartoon Exhibit
It’s been an eventful weekend for Zunar, the Malaysian political cartoonist facing nine separate charges of sedition which could net him up to 43 years in prison. First, on Friday his new cartoon exhibit was stormed by an angry mob…
Zunar Barred from Leaving Malaysia
The Malaysian government’s censorship campaign against political cartoonist Zunar entered a new phase today: when he attempted to catch a flight to Singapore for a public forum, he discovered that he’s been barred from leaving the country on direct orders…
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…
Zunar Trial to Proceed After Court Rejects Challenge to Sedition Act
Malaysia’s High Court yesterday rejected cartoonist Zunar’s challenge to the country’s Sedition Act, clearing the way for his long-delayed trial on nine counts of sedition. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 43 years in prison. A…