For a look at the history of cartoons and comics in Malaysia and how they developed from the 1930s to the present day, there’s no better place to visit than the Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House at the KL Lake Gardens (Taman Botani Perdana). The museum opened its doors to visitors in April 2017.
Past and present immortalised in ink
Here, visitors can browse through galleries upon galleries of classic and modern cartoons, caricatures, and comics that depict the day-to-day life of Malaysians, among other subjects. There are also cartoons and comics based on local folklores and legends, as well as caricatures of famous political and public figures.
One of Malaysia’s most prominent cartoonists featured at the Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House is Datuk Mohammad Nor bin Mohammad Khalid a.k.a Lat, who is famous for his Kampung Boy comics. Also featured here are other famous cartoonists including Raja Hamzah, Jaafar Taib, Ujang and Aie.
Fascinating to see at the Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House is vintage cartoons and comic strips that were originally hand-drawn by Malaysia cartoonists. Their scripts were added in by hand back when there were no machines to get the job done.
Tourist-friendly
Although most of the cartoons, comics and caricatures at the Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House are in Bahasa Malaysia, there is sufficient information and translations written in English for the convenience of foreign tourists. There are also guides that can bring you around and help you translate or interpret comics, cartoons and caricatures that do not come with translations. That is, however, subject to how busy the museum is at a time of visit.
Besides cartoons, comics and caricatures, the gallery also displays pens and other equipment used by cartoonists to produce their satirical masterpieces. As a bonus, you can also have a caricature of yourself drawn by a cartoonist at the Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House.
Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House
Jalan Cenderawasih, Taman Botani Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
T: +6012 380 8552 / +6012 667 0620
Facebook: rumahkartundankomikmalaysia
The Malaysia Cartoon and Comic House is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Thursday, and from 9.30am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday and Friday and on public holidays.
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