Definition of cartoon by David Low is: “A cartoon is a drawing, representational/symbolic, that makes a satirical, witty or humorous point,” (Muliyadi: 2008).
Lat has been known for his contribution to Malaysia's art scene and social impact through his cartoons, autobiography comics like The Kampung Boy which are sold all over the world. In this forum, we will see the importance of Lat character and the Malay culture which he bring along in his cartoons. Presented by Dr. Muliyadi Mahamood,
Lat’s Malay identity have been reveal and presented as one of the study which is important for Malaysia socio-culture and identity.
Lat born in 5th March 1951 in Kota Bharu, Perak and started contribute in Majallah Filem, April 1964 of his first comic Tiga Sekawan and it being publish until 1966. A huge fan of Raja Hamzah, he started to built an identification of character with Malay identity despite of so many local cartoons are very westernize style which is not suitable with Malaysia's identity.
After so many years, he still uplifts the idea of Malaysia culture and we always looking at Lat as our icon who always bring the Malaysian identity in his cartoons.
Issue Discussed
In this forum we discuss about the identity and cartoons; the definition and how this effect in our culture and sociology does. With Lat's cartoons, he adapt the Malaysian identity in his drawings through the characters relationship, how is their life, activities, games and also including current issues of that time such as socio-culture and political event on that era which can be seen in Keluarga Si Mamat.
Dr. Muliyadi also suggests the early Malay cartoons like Dol Keropok dan Wak Tempeh and Keluarga Mat Jambul by Raja Hamzah which is Lat's favorite cartoonist. The scene of these comic strips is more about Malay culture in modernization era example Keluarga Mat Jambul is about young-new-wed-couple which live in urban city and women
References: 1. Retrieved March 31, 2008 from http://malaysia.or.kr/asapro/board/show.htm?bn=board06&fmlid=220&pkid=234&startTextId=110&buffer=221&categoryValue=0&thisPage=12&jk=11&mode=&srchValue=&searchTemp=&term=&stSLT= 2. GregMcElhatton. (30th August 2006). Kampung Boy By Lat. Retrieved March 20, 2008 from http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2006/08/30/kampung-boy/ 3. http://www.etawau.com/Who/L/LAT/Mohamad_Nor_Khalid.htm