Always Strive To Incorporate Malaysian Identity, Says Cartoonist LAT

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- The nation's renowned cartoonist Mohd Nor Khalid or better known as Lat said Wednesday that the younger generation of cartoonists should always strive to incorporate the Malaysian identity and heritage in their work. He said cartoon, much like other mediums such as animation and fiction, speaks a universal language and therefore capable of promoting Malaysia's identity to the world. "It will also remind us about where we come from and of our cultural roots. The important thing is how we choose our channel to convey the message," he said at a dialogue on "Cartoon and the Society" organised by the National Culture and Arts Department. Some 220 officers and staff from the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry attended the session. Lat, 61, winner of the 2002 Asia Fukuoka Culture Prize, said artists could draw inspirations from the everyday aspects of Malaysian life. "If we strive to preserve our identity, we inspire the future generations to do the same through their creative works. We can portray the many sides of our daily lives and people abroad will understand us," he said. Cartoonists, he said, should constantly remind themselves to strive to come up with something impactful and make their audience happy, not otherwise. Lat, who began drawing cartoons since his teenage years, is a cultural icon respected by many. His 'Kampung Boy' series (1979) was not only published in Malay and English but also translated into French, Japanese and German. -- BERNAMA