PETALING JAYA: A cartoonist, known for his satirical take on Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration, was almost assaulted by an angry mob at an exhibition in Penang.
Fortunately for Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, better known as Zunar, police managed to ensure the mob did not lay a hand on him in the 2.45 pm incident at the Komtar building.
“I was approached by some 30 aggressive people. They surrounded me and threatened me. They demanded I take down my artwork, which I did.
“I did not fight back. All I wanted was to just display my work. But the situation turned violent and the police and FRU were forced to intervene,” he told FMT.
Zunar also claimed some of those who confronted him were Umno members.
Due to security reasons, Zunar said he had no choice but to cancel the exhibition – originally scheduled to run for three days – immediately.
He also said this was the first time he had encountered such an experience.
Zunar thanked police for coming to his rescue. An estimated 30 police officers and 10 FRU personnel were rushed to the scene.
“Otherwise, I wouldn’t know what would have happened.”
The incident today comes a day after Amanah lawmaker Khalid Samad was waylaid by a mob on Parliament grounds.
Fortunately, parliament security officers came to the rescue of the Shah Alam MP and prevented the incident from turning ugly. Khalid was not injured and police have arrested 10.
Among those arrested today were Umno Youth members from Pasir Salak. They had been waiting to show their displeasure over Khalid calling Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman “menteri sial”.