Malaysia has banned three works of political cartoons that criticise the government, claiming that they pose a security threat.
Mahmood Adam, the home ministry's secretary-general, explained: "All three publications have been banned for their contents that can influence the people to revolt against the leaders and government policies... The contents are not suitable and detrimental to public order."
The works are mainly collections of comics by Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, known as Zunar, and other local cartoonists, questioning current events, such as police shootings and the sodomy trial of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Two books are banned, Perak, Land of Cartoons and 1 Funny Malaysia, and one magazine, Issues in Cartoons.
Zunar, a cartoonist for more than 20 years, told an AP reporter: "In Malaysia the government... won't allow alternative views. You can do cartoons, you can do whatever art work you want, but it must be in line with the government (view)."
Last month, Malaysian authorities seized more than 6,000 copies of a pro-opposition newspaper, saying it did not have a printing permit. All publications require government-approved annual licences.
Zunar's website: http://www.cartoonkafe.com/
Source: AP/ABC Zunar's website:
