KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 — Few artists have depicted Malaysian culture as honestly and vividly as Lat.
At 73, the celebrated cartoonist, whose real name is Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid, continues to delight audiences with his witty and simple yet humorous illustrations, featured in publications such as Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, and New Straits Times (NST).
Best known for the iconic Kampung Boy and Town Boy series, Lat’s work resonates with generations of Malaysians.
His influence even extends globally, with recognition from peers like The Simpsons creator Matt Groening.
Today, caricatures of his work adorn Kuala Lumpur’s streets, affirming his status as a cultural icon.
On November 2, Lat shared his journey during a talk titled LAT: A Life in Lines and Laughter at the Telekom Museum as part of the Kreatif KL Festival.
The session featured anecdotes from his early days as a journalist and his rise as one of Malaysia’s most beloved cartoonists.
Early days: Drawing for RM5
Lat recalled how his career began long before he became a household name, submitting drawings to local publications during his school days.
“So, from Form 4 to Form 5, I was already earning more than RM100 per month.
“I was not a stranger to newspapers. During school holidays, I would go to KL by train and go to the Balai Berita in Jalan Riong to give them my drawings,” he reminisced.
In 1969, Lat joined Berita Harian as a journalist under the mentorship of Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail.
Despite his light-hearted persona, Lat tackled the crime beat, a role that came with unique challenges.
“At that time, we chased after ambulances, we chased after fire engines. I was at that age where I could do all that.
“I remember there was a fire engine passing through KL, and we followed it, but it turned out they were just attending to a small fire breakout.
“Then I remember an ambulance rushing to the general hospital. We followed it again, hoping for a story, but it stopped at the maternity ward, and I said to myself, this is not good for a newsman,” he added, laughing.
From crime desk to cartooning fame
Even as a journalist, Lat continued submitting cartoons to various publications.
One of his breakthroughs came in 1974 when his comic on the Malay circumcision tradition caught the attention of NST Group Editors Tan Sri Lee Siew Yee and Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail.
Although honoured by the opportunity, Lat admitted the work was initially challenging as he struggled to decide what to draw.
“My bosses would only tell me to draw something related to the local adat (traditions).
“I looked around the office, and the first thing I realised about us Malaysians is makanan (food) lah, what else? We would have small talks in the office, and when it comes to food, wah.
“There were a few spots around the office — Jalan Riong, Jalan Liku, and another across the road in Jalan Bangsar.
So I would draw what was happening during our time, and there’s always something going on wherever you go,” he said.
His relatable depictions of Malaysian life won readers over and the rest, as they say, is history.
“Some readers would call up NST demanding more of my illustrations,” he shared.
At the end of the session, Lat also had some timeless advice for aspiring cartoonists: Keep it simple.
“A comic strip can be good and impactful just by having a one-liner in it,” he said.
Lat’s talk was part of the three-month-long Kreatif KL Festival, a celebration of Malaysian cultural diversity organised by Think City and Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
The festival features dance performances, exhibitions, and public art installations across downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Highlights this month include Echoes of the Hornbill’s Cry by Sarawakian dancer Raziman Sarbini, scheduled for today and tomorrow at Panggung Bandaraya DBKL.
For more information, visit Kreatif KL’s official website.
