Lat draws upon Dr M’s legacy

PUTRAJAYA: For renowned cartoonist Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, popularly known as Lat, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was an easy subject to include in his works.  

“I drew caricatures of Dr Mahathir based on his comments on almost everything, from social issues, economics to politics,” he said at the launch of the comic book Dr Who?! at Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana here yesterday. 

The book was the 27th produced by Lat and the first-ever on the charismatic Dr Mahathir. 

SUBJECT MATTERS: Lat presenting a copy of his drawing for the cover of his latest book 'Dr Who?!' to Mahathir during the launching ceremony of the book in Putrajaya.

Also at the function was Dr Mahathir’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Ali. 

Lat said he had drawn caricatures of three serving prime ministers. 

He said his first caricature of a serving Prime Minister showed Tun Abdul Razak Hussein riding a motorcycle to beat the traffic jam. 

Lat said his big break came when he drew a caricature of Razak sitting between boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner, who were kicking each other under the table. 

Asked how he came to choose Dr Who?! as the title, Lat said it was because people tend to quickly forget politicians. 

“But with Dr Mahathir, he is getting more famous after his retirement,” he added.