Malaysian teen paints Tunku’s portrait on kain pelikat for Merdeka Day


Muhammad Hanif took 10 days to complete Tunku's portrait on kain pelikat. Photos: Muhammad Hanif Aris

Teacher training undergraduate Muhammad Hanif Aris has never met Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj but the teenager certainly knows about Malaysia’s first prime minister and his role in the nation's independence from British rule.

As a tribute to him, the Kedah-born, Miri-based student has completed an oil painting of Tunku on a kain pelikat (sarong worn by men) in conjunction with Malaysia’s 65th Merdeka celebrations on Aug 31.

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