Lat’s artworks honoured

Acknowledged in a huge way: Lat receiving his award from Sultan Nazrin during the Merdeka Award ceremony at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall.

KUALA LUMPUR: The artwork of Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid has been acknowledged in a huge way when the prolific cartoonist was awarded the prestigious Merdeka Award in the education and community category.

The 63-year-old Perak-born cartoonist, who is fondly known as Lat, reached out to Malaysians from all walks of life through his cartoons, which paved the way for social commentary within a conservative social and political context.

Lat’s artworks appeared as newspaper cartoon columns and later in book publications, animation, theatre and many more.

He was one of the six distinguished individuals who received their awards from Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall last night.

Sultan Nazrin is the royal patron of the Merdeka Award Trust.

The other recipients were Mohd Khan Momin Khan (environment category), Datuk Dr Choo Yuen May (health science and technology category), Prof Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad and Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail (joint recipients for outstanding scholastic achievement category), and Datuk Seri Dr Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, Fifth Earl of Cranbrook, (outstanding contribution to the people of Malaysia category).

Each recipient received the Merdeka Award trophy, the Merdeka Award Work of Art, certificate of recognition and cash award of RM500,000 for each category.

The award was established in 2007 by Petronas, ExxonMobil and Shell to recognise the recipients’ achievements and significant contributions to Malaysia in their respective fields.