Zunar's suit against PDRM, govt settled

KUALA LUMPUR: A suit filed by cartoonist Zunar against the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the government for wrongful arrest and seizure of his books and T-shirts at an event two years ago, was settled today.
High Court judge Datuk Su Geok Yiam recorded the settlements in her chambers after senior federal counsel Kamal Azira Hassan, appearing on behalf of PDRM and the government, and Zunar's lawyer, Latheefa Koya, agreed to settle the matter.
The case had been fixed for management today.
Latheefa, when met by reporters, said all the books and T-shirts that were seized were ordered to be returned to Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee SM Anwarul Haque.
PDRM and the government also agreed to pay ex-gratia to Zunar, she said but declined to reveal the amount to the media.
In the suit, Zunar, who named 18 policemen, including two officers, the Inspector-General of Police and the government as defendants, stated that the Tea With Zunar event, which he organised at the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) on Dec 17, 2016 was raided by the police.
He claimed police raided the place before the event even started at 3 pm and seized his merchandise, comprising 1,187 books and 103 T-shirts, and also arrested his aide and two people who were at the event.
Zunar, claimed he was not informed by the police of his arrest and seizure of his merchandise, but the investigation was made under Section 124(c) of the Penal Code for an attempt to commit activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
He had sought special damages of RM22,388, or, alternatively, the return of the books and T-shirts, as well as damages for wrongful arrest and negligence, aggravated, as well as exemplary damages, and a declaration that the plaintiffs had breached his statutory rights. — Bernama