This Merdeka, let's celebrate a true Malaysian icon - LAT

I'm a great admirer of Mohd Nor Khalid the Malaysian cartoonist more popularly known as Lat, short for "bulat" or round in Malay. Lat's cartoons perfectly captures the many idiosyncrasies of Malaysians and day to day Malaysian life in way that reminds us that we should be able to laugh at ourselves, not to take ourselves too seriously and more importantly, that we have more in common with each other than we would like to admit.

In these politically divisive times in Malaysia, Lat succeeds in communicating via his simple cartoons things that unite us as Malaysians - sports, food, friendship, music and plain ol' good humour. Most of all, Lat's cartoons are also political commentaries on the hot issues of the day and I think it's because his brand of humour is so gentle that it would take a supremely thin skinned person to be offended with his politically inspired cartoons.

This Merdeka, I think Pos Malaysia should commemorate Lat with a series of stamps show casing the best of his work depicting Malaysians in all their idiosyncratic glory. That would be money, effort and time better spent than on erecting billboards reminding us to be "grateful" (cringe) to our leaders for their "sacrifices" (yeah I guess it's real tough to perform your job if you have to commute in a Mercedes Benz).
 

I'm not a fan of Air Asia, but I'm happy that some of their planes have Lat cartoons painted on the body of the air craft. What a great way to showcase the works of a real Malaysian icon all over the world.