Part of the first English PEN Modern Literature Festival - April 2nd 2016. Produced with artist Sam Winston, "On Zunar" is a tribute to a writer who is part of the English PEN Writer's at Risk programme, writers living under oppression around the world.  The new works celebrate and evidence the struggle of fellow writers around the world, in solidarity. www.theenemiesproject.com/englishpen. The event is intended as a call to membership for writers, artists and readers in a time where we face perilous challenges to our freedom of expression and fundamental rights and hard fought liberties, both internationally and here in the UK. As the world changes so remarkably, and so rapidly, and on a global scale, it is vital the political will of our time and this generation of young, dynamic writers is directed purposefully to the work of English PEN, the writer's charity. The hope is this festival, away from creating new members of PEN, begins involvements and connections which will have exponential resonance for decades to come.

On Zunar is an audio work that deconstructs and re-imagines The Universal Declaration of Human Rights as corrupted by the Malaysian government. Diluting, changing and nullifying it, accompanied by the sounds of Malaysian protest, and violent police repression. Vocals by Zunar & Sam Winston. 

Zunar (Zulkiflee Sm Anwar Ulhaque) is a political cartoonist from Malaysia. With slogan, “How Can I be Neutral, Even My Pen Has a Stand”, he exposes corruption and abuse of power committed by the government of Malaysia through his art. The Malaysian government is now imposing a travel ban on Zunar to prevent from travelling abroad.

Zunar is also now facing nine charges under the archaic Sedition Act and facing possible 43 years imprisonment and the court proceeding will start on 22nd Nov 2016. He was detained and locked behind bars twice under the Sedition Act – first time was on September 2010 for two days and on 10th of February 2015 for three days.

Five of his cartoon books have been banned by the Malaysian government on the ground that the contents are “detrimental to public order.” His office in Kuala Lumpur has been raided a few times and thousands cartoon books were confiscated. The printers, vendors, and bookstores, have been harassed. Their premises have been raided and they have been warned not to print or carry any of his books or their business licence will be revoked. Three of his assistants were arrested. The webmaster, who manages his website and online bookstore, was called in by the police for questioning.

Zunar is the only Malaysian selected by Amnesty International as the first Malaysian for their biggest annual international campaign, ‘Write for Rights (#W4R) 2015′.

https://www.zunar.my/about-me/