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Research Paper | Arts and Humanities | Malaysia | Volume 8 Issue 9, September 2019

Semiotic Analysis in 1967 Jamdin Buyongs Political Cartoon

Suraya Hani Zakaria | Mohammad Pu'ad Bebit | Mohd Sawari Rahim

Abstract: One of the important themes in cartoon is politic. The function of cartoon as political weapon had been proven since years ago (Muliyadi Mahamood, 1999: 26). Honour Daumier, a well-known 19th century cartoonist in France for example, manages to bring down the leader during that time using his cartoon. This is also supported by an American cartoonist, Thomas Nast who produces sharp and cynical political caricature (Donald Saff, 1978: 30). Their cynical artwork always managed to question the ability and justice of the government. In addition, these cynical artworks also manage to illustrate the painful life of our society. The strength driven from these artworks is used by the cartoonist to criticise and alarming the society about the real situation around them. Realizing upon this fact, Jamdin Buyong has come forward as a firm and brave cartoonist in highlighting the polemics of our local and international politics in year 1967 and 1968 while working as the Sabah Times editor. Using Jambo as his pseudonym, he has created the caricature of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak, Datu Mustapha and Donald Stephen during the era of Sabah’s post-independence. He also sketches the caricature of Sukarno as the president of Indonesia during the confrontation of Indonesia, Ferdinand Markos during Philippines claim on Sabah, and polemic between USNO, UPKO and Perikatan in Sabah. Jamdin Buyong is making critical statement becomes humour yet sharp and cynical as an eye opener of the society towards the idea of peace. It is hoped that his artwork will benefit our society via message and the content delivered from the description of meaning and visual concept. Indirectly, this study will be able to serve as historical politic and nation documentation which is important as a reference for our future generation.

Keywords: Cartoon, political issue, history, message and values.

Edition: Volume 8 Issue 9, September 2019,

Pages: 665 - 669

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