KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Facing nine counts of sedition and 43 years in jail if convicted, popular cartoonist Zunar hit out today against this week’s landmark Federal Court ruling that backed the constitutionality of the controversial colonial-era law.

The political cartoonist was weighing in on the case of Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom, who will now have to stand trial after losing his challenge against the Sedition Act 1948.

“The ‘approval’ of the Sedition Act by the Federal Court is totally disappointing, unacceptable and undemocratic,” the artist whose real name is Zulkiflee SM Anwar Ulhaqur, wrote in a statement.

On Monday, the Federal Court ruled that the Sedition Act remains constitutional and a valid piece of legislation despite being created before Independence in 1957.

Azmi had argued that the Sedition Act is not a valid law as it was not enacted by Parliament and contradicted with the Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

Article 10 of the Constitution of Malaysia stated clearly, that “(a) every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression; (b) all citizens have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms.”

“Thus, the decision by the court simply mocked the Constitution and politically motivated.

“Since it was introduced in 1948, the Sedition Act was used as a powerful weapon by the government to constrain and curtail freedom of expression in Malaysia.

"More than 200 activists - students, lecturers, lawyers, writers, religious activists, opposition leaders and cartoonist had either been arrested, detained, investigated or charged since last year,” he said.

His trial date has been set for November 6.

Zunar foresees that the decision by the Federal Court gives more mandate for the government to continue to use the Sedition Act against dissidents.

“The hope to get justice from the court is just fairy tale. More sedition case will be opened. The space for freedom of speech and expression will become narrow.

“Malaysia in now sprinting backward. Prime Minister Najib is now heading toward ‘Mugabeism’.

“I would like to suggest that the Federal Constitution of Malaysia to be exhibited nicely at the museum as collector’s item,” he said.

Zunar has been arrested, his books confiscated and his office raided over his cartoons which mostly depicts the political situation in Malaysia.