By-Elections After the 12th General Election: From the Glasses of an Editorial Cartoonist

Abstract

Editorial cartoons often become recorders of events, especially during election season. Therefore, the main focus of this study is on the publication of editorial cartoons published through mainstream local newspapers with the theme of by-elections after the 12th Malaysian General Election. In addition to that, the researcher will also briefly trace the beginning and development of cartoons in Malaysia from the beginning of the period before independence, then the heyday of Malay cartoons in the 80s and 90s and then specifically to editorial cartoons themed by by-elections. The research and writing approach is based on the appreciation of the form and meaning of the work and the context of its production. Art history methodology based on analysis according to context is used as the basis in this study. Covering aspects of description, analysis, interpretation and consideration are used as a guide in the research of the work. The conclusion of the results of this study found that these mainstream newspaper cartoons are critical of the presentation of political-themed jokes in Malaysia.