Don’t be COWED

KUALA LUMPUR: Artists and cartoonists should not be intimidated by attempts to suppress their creative works that may be critical of politicians and public figures, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz

He said politicians, including the prime minister, should understand that they will be subjected to criticism when venturing into politics.

Nazri also said controversial artists such as Fahmi Reza and Zunar, who had previously landed in hot water due to their political satires, should continue expressing their thoughts.

Both Fahmi and Zunar have pending court cases in relation to their works, that were d e e med c r i t i c a l o f the government.

“If you are very sensitive, then you got no business in politics. Remember that you are a public figure.

“If you choose not to be criticised, then stay at home. If you want to get involved in politics, you must know what is coming,” he told a press conference after launching the “Cartoon and Us” exhibition at Muzium Negara yesterday.

However, Nazri reminded art enthusiasts

not to go overboard in expressing their thoughts and to understand that there are limits.

“Be careful of being slanderous as we do have laws. You must know where the limit is,” he said.

The outspoken minister also added that he himself was open to criticism, but reminded his critics not to get offended when he responds.

On a proposal to limit the opening hours of 24-hour eateries, Nazri said the authorities should not be moral-policing the public by dictating what is good or bad for them.

He said instead of restricting operating hours, the authorities should tighten their enforcement on restaurants that do not comply with regulations.

“We should not penalise outlets that comply with the rules. Let people decide what they want,” he said.