DRAWING DISSENT: ADVOCATING POLITICAL LITERACY THROUGH CARTOONS IN CONTEMPORARY MALAYSIA

Abstract

Political cartoons have existed in Malaysia since the 1930s and have, in recent years, developed into a more aggressive and openly critical form. This study seeks to discuss and evaluate the types of political cartoons that can be considered as visual dissent. In the post-Reformasi era, there are greater contestations against the ruling government where citizens are more aware of the corruption and cronyism that plague the country. They demand increased democracy, transparency, and accountability. This was fostered by political parties, non-governmental organisations, alternative media, and cultural circles. Two notable artists that have emerged from this era are Zunar and Fahmi Reza. Their cartoons and illustrations openly criticise the government, opposition parties, and the royal families of Malaysia. In their endeavour of creating consistently critical cartoons, their audience reap the benefit of being more informed of the political happenings of their country, thus inculcating a culture of political literacy. Both were subjected to repeated harassments from the authorities. The Malaysian authorities have used both legal mechanisms and underhanded tactics to dampen these opposing voices. Nevertheless, Zunar and Fahmi have deployed their works critically and creatively, not just relating to its themes but also its platform of dissemination. By using cartoons as visual dissent, inclusive of their moral intellectual courage expressed in humour, they produce one of the most controversial symbolic protests against the Malaysian authorities.