Latest news with #Zunar
The Star
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
PM celebrates new biography chronicling cartoonist Zunar's 50-year career
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (second right) and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail with cartoonist Zunar (second left) and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (right) at the launch of 'Melukis Dengan Hati: Biografi Perjalanan Seni 50 Tahun Karya Zunar' at Pustaka Raja Tun Uda, Shah Alam on July 22. Photo: Bernama At the recent launch of Melukis Dengan Hati: Biografi Perjalanan Seni 50 Tahun Karya Zunar at Pustaka Raja Tun Uda, Shah Alam, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised cartoonist Zunar for his steadfast efforts to revitalise the local art scene through politically charged works, despite many challenges. The Prime Minister noted that while Zunar's cartoons may be sharp and uncompromising, they offer deep insights into current issues that society must understand - and often carry significant political impact. "An artist's sketches are the outpouring of the heart, driven by conviction. When a work is created freely and sincerely, the risks it carries are equally great," said Anwar. "He (Zunar) grew up in a country where free artistic expression was restricted, and he too was affected by that atmosphere. "Young people should understand that the situation has now changed - we provide space for expression. We may not always agree with the works produced, nor do they necessarily align with our tastes or the interests of those in power, but that is the essence of a democratic environment." Describing Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, as a close friend, Anwar also said the public should show appreciation for the artist's contributions by supporting his newly launched book, as many of his earlier works were reproduced without permission. "There is no denying that his cartoons were popular, but previously there was no copyright protection. They were distributed and reprinted freely. So, we should repay him by purchasing the book, because for decades he contributed during the reform era, yet people did not buy his works - they simply reprinted them,' he said. Melukis Dengan Hati: Biografi Perjalanan Seni 50 Tahun Karya Zunar spans 230 pages, and chronicles key milestones in the Kedah-born artist's career, from his early cartoons in Bambino and Gila-Gila magazines to his contributions in Berita Harian, Harakah, and MalaysiaKini. - Bernama
The Star
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Anwar calls for AI laws to protect local arts scene
Hot off the press: Anwar with (from left) Kuala Lumpur City Hall chief assistant director (architect) Noor Fazlina Rosley, Dr Wan Azizah, Zunar and Amirudin at the book launch in Shah Alam. — KK SHAM/The Star SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed two ministries in his Cabinet to protect local creative works from falling prey to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. He said both the Communications Ministry and the Digital Ministry must formulate laws that protect the copyright and authenticity of these works, as well as shield them from vagaries such as plagiarism. If the proliferation of AI technology is not properly regulated, it would negatively impact a multitude of artistic fields and endeavours, he said at the launch of political cartoonist Zunar's autobiography here yesterday. 'It will not only affect cartoonists but also artists, painters, filmmakers and poets. 'Sometimes it (AI) stifles an artist's capabilities and creative capacity,' added Anwar. He said in pursuing measures to protect local creativity, both ministries must also ensure that the nation does not duplicate the mould set by the outside world, but instead cultivate values from within the country to prevent the loss of values and identity. He said the nation's current policies on AI do not separate technology from local values. 'If we want to ensure that AI also emphasises values and what is consistent with our faith, religious beliefs, culture and diversity, our children must be trained in this field,' he said. On another matter, Anwar said there must not be any political interference in matters pertaining to the judiciary as it (the judiciary) must remain independent. However, he said, some of those currently professing to champion the judiciary were once party to political oppression and injustice, adding: 'There must be a clear separation of powers and shared responsibility to save the country.' He also pointed out that the judiciary, which is a noble institution, has also at times been tainted by corruption and abuse of power as shown by history, adding that this was captured and illustrated in Zunar's works. On Zunar's autobiography titled Melukis Dengan Hati: Biografi Perjalanan Seni 50 Tahun Karya Zunar, Anwar said Zunar's work had captured incidents such as the 1MDB scandal. Also at the event were Anwar's wife and Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
PM Anwar commends cartoonist Zunar for resilience in art industry
SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lauded cartoonist Zunar for his persistent efforts in revitalising Malaysia's art scene through politically charged works, despite facing numerous challenges. Speaking at the launch of *Melukis Dengan Hati: Biografi Perjalanan Seni 50 Tahun Karya Zunar*, Anwar acknowledged the depth of Zunar's critiques, which often carry significant political weight. 'An artist's sketches are the outpouring of the heart, driven by conviction. When a work is created freely and sincerely, the risks it carries are equally great,' Anwar said. He noted that while Zunar's art may not always align with official views, such expression is vital in a democratic society. Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, has long been known for his sharp political satire. Anwar urged the public to support the artist by purchasing his newly launched biography, as past works were often reproduced without permission. 'We should repay him by buying this book. For decades, he contributed during the reform era, yet people reprinted his works instead of buying them,' he added. The 230-page book traces Zunar's career, from early contributions in *Bambino* and *Gila-Gila* magazines to his work in *Berita Harian*, *Harakah*, and *MalaysiaKini*. The event was attended by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. - Bernama
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Critics of judiciary ignore lessons from Reformasi era
SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has criticised those who he said appear ignorant of the nation's political history when commenting on the judiciary. Anwar, who is also PKR president, said those who lived through the Reformasi era understand that the judiciary must remain the country's main pillar and be free from political interference. He cited the works of renowned cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Haque, better known as Zunar, whose illustrations chronicled the public outrage during that period over corruption, abuse of power and manipulated court decisions. "Sometimes when people talk about the judiciary, I feel some of them act as if they know nothing at all about history — people who were once complicit in all the oppression and injustice of the past, now wanting to speak about freedom. "On the other hand, for us who lived through it, we believe and we are convinced that the key lesson is that the judiciary, which is the main pillar of the country, should be without political interference, because our experience has shown that we must be more mature as such interference leads to the abuse of the innocent. "The same applies to economic management, such as the Scorpene and 1MDB scandal that was illustrated in in the cartoon," he said during the launch of the book "Melukis dengan Hati: Biografi Perjalanan Seni 50 Tahun" by Zunar here today. Anwar said Zunar's work is important not only in terms of uncovering historical chapters, but also serves as a lesson on what Malaysia must learn from and what is to be avoided. "To save the country, there must be a clear separation of powers and shared responsibility. "If we assume that the judiciary is a noble institution, history has shown that it has, at times, been tainted by corruption and abuse of power. "Likewise, the position of the prime minister or finance minister, even if entrusted to someone believed to carry out their duties well, has, in reality, been misused to amass excessive wealth. "And all of this is captured in Zunar's work," he said.
The Star
22-07-2025
- The Star
PM Anwar calls for laws to protect copyright, local creativity amid AI boom
SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has proposed the introduction of legal provisions to safeguard the copyright and authenticity of local creative works in light of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Anwar said the Communications Ministry and the Digital Ministry must take immediate action to ensure that local works are protected from risks and vulnerabilities arising from the advancement of AI technology, such as plagiarism. "On the issue of copyright, the protection is not limited to cartoonists but also covers films, poems and other creative works, which at times face copyright challenges due to the development of AI,' he said at the launch of 'Melukis Dengan Hati: Biografi Perjalanan Seni 50 Tahun Karya Zunar' at Pustaka Raja Tun Uda on Tuesday (July 22). "This legal protection is to ensure that creativity and the artistic abilities of creators are not stifled by copyright disputes or questions over the authenticity of their works,' he added. Present at the launch were Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Also present were the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; Selangor Public Library Corporation director, Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad; and renowned cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwarul Haque, better known as Zunar. – Bernama
