Lat – A Treasure of Malaysia

Do you know Mohammad Nor Khalid or Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid?

We did not when we moved here to Malaysia from Sweden almost a year ago. If your born in Southeast Asia you probably do. Known as Lat is he one of the most famous cartoon artists here in Asia. Even Air Asia the big low cost airline use his pictures on the planes!

He was born in Kota Baru, Perak, Malaysia in 1951 and grew up in a Kampung – small village. In early age he started drawing and got attention for his humorous pictures that spot on showed life and culture of Malaysia. In 1970, he moved to Kuala Lumpur. Lat was offered a position to join the New Straits Times as a crime reporter but later on became a cartoonist.

Since then he has published many comic books and is highly appreciated by many million people throughout Southeast Asia. His first book Kampung Boy, an autobiography of his life was published in 1979

It is a privilegie to live in multiracial Malaysia and we learn new things everyday. We appreciate and recognize the culture more and more. Reading Lat is an easy way of widen and integrate into our new land. That is why we also want to share this with you.

Lat peers into a multiracial society with Malay, Chinese and Indian Culture mixed together. 20% of Malaysia’s people are Chinese, 10 % are of Indian origin. In Borneo there is also 10 % Natives or even called Culture groups. It is a very exciting and interesting mix that gives Malaysia its character and charm.

Moving from Sweden – a cold country in north of Europe to Exotic Tropical Borneo has been an adventure. Lat is just one of Malaysia’s many treasures we found since we moved here. There is much more to explore about Malaysia. Mt Kinabalu in Sabah – Orangutangs in Sepilok – Kuala Lumpur – why Borneo is a wonderful place to live and how it is possible for us to stay in Malaysia.