Controversial cartoonist Zunar claims his latest book "Sapuman - Man of Steal", which mocks Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and the RM2.6 billion political donation, is under police investigation.

"A sales assistant who operates online sales of my latest book on the website zunar.my has been called for police investigation at Dang Wangi next Monday under the Sedition Act," he said in a statement today.

Zunar (photo), whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, condemned the probe as a way to scare the public from reading his work.

"My sales assistant did nothing illegal as 'Sapuman-Man of Steal' is not officially banned by the government," he added.

This is the second time police had called in those linked to Zunar's online store for questioning.

Last November, police questioned Zunar's webmaster, and also asked online payment gateway MOLPay Sdn Bhd to disclose customers who bought Zunar's comic books.

Announced on Sept 10, "Sapuman - Man of Steal" became Zunar's 18th comic book. The cartoonist has had seven of his books banned by the government.

Two of the bans were lifted last year by the Court of Appeal, which ruled that cartoons were unlikely to disrupt public order.

The government obtained leave to challenge the appellate court's decision in May.

Besides his books, Zunar is also facing nine sedition charges for nine different tweets critical of the judiciary following the Federal Court's decision to imprison former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Dang Wangi police and is awaiting their response.