Criticise, don’t insult, observers say of satirical cartoons

A caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a clown. Political cartoonists say caricatures can backfire in a country like Malaysia, where society is unused to the degree of freedom practised in the West. – Facebook pic courtesy of Grupa, February 6, 2016. 

As it gets harder to attract people’s attention in the age of social media, artists say biting, satirical cartoons are effective means of getting a political message across.

However, some observers warn that going too far or getting too personal could invite backlash in a society like Malaysia, which is unused to the unfettered freedom of expression in the West.

A political cartoonist known as Ronasina, or Mohd Affandi Ramli, said the first caricatures were political in nature and had been around since the reign of King Louis XII of France in the 15th century.

The debate over whether a cartoon is critical or insulting entered the limelight again when a group of artists flooded social media with caricatures of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a clown. 

Associate professor Dr Kartini Aboo Talib@Khalid of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said caricatures were popular as they were an effective visual arts medium.

"Cartoons are an easy way to express dissatisfaction and they are easily spread through the media. As it uses humour, cartoon messages are easily remembered," said Kartini, deputy director of UKM’s Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA).

Kartini is not against critical works but said those which were extreme and touched on sensitivities could create unease.

"Art can be critical but should not be insulting. Even during (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed’s time, there were caricatures such as ‘senyum kambing’ in Utusan Malaysia while Zunar also became active.

"Relatively speaking, drawing leaders as clowns would be considered going overboard in Malaysia but not in the West because of their democratic practice of always criticising their leaders," Kartini told The Malaysian Insider.

However, even in the West, extreme satire has dire consequences, Kartini said, demonstrated when militants attacked and killed editors and artists of French magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France in 2014.

The magazine’s senior editorial staff were gunned down by Muslim extremists over satirical cartoons of Prophet Muhammad published in the magazine.

Digital artist Amy Hashim said it was better for artists to be socially responsible but added that citizens had the right to criticise their government.

"I’ve seen some of my friends overseas draw (US presidential candidate) Donald Trump as a clown. But I feel that artists should be more socially responsible and work to create harmony," Amy said.

Najib’s clown caricatures were started by activist Fahmi Reza but a group of other artists known as Grupa or "Grafik Rebel Untuk Protes & Aktivisme" have since followed suit, creating their own versions and spreading them over the Internet.

Political cartoonists told the Malaysian Insider that critical caricatures were an effective way to draw attention to political issues without sounding preachy and academic.

Award-winning cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaq or Zunar wanted more youths to rise up and create art without being scared to protest or express themselves.

"The visual arts medium is very effective. Humour and visuals are able to cross cultural, national boundaries," said Zunar, who received the International Press Freedom Award in 2015.

"Even those who are illiterate can understand them and they have a big impact on society."

Zunar's works have been seized by the police and he faces sedition charges over his cartoons.

Najib’s administration has been criticised by world human rights groups and leading international newspapers over the arrest and prosecution of Zunar.

Cartoonist Ronasina defended Fahmi’s right to create Najib’s clown caricature, saying it was the artist’s way of expressing his feelings about current issues.

He said political cartoons such as the clown caricature are aimed at bringing up issues such as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, the country’s massive government debt and the goods and services tax (GST).

"Cartoons are a reaction to all these issues," said Ronasina, who is known for his 2012 political cartoon "Negaraku".

- TMI