Cartoonist eyes world record
Penangite aims to make a mark with the longest cartoon strip feat
GEORGE TOWN: After successfully getting into the Malaysia Book of Records for the most caricatures drawn in 24 hours, Penang-born cartoonist Mohd Azmi Mohd Hussin is now planning to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cartoon strip.
The 34-year-old, who began drawing in primary school, is planning to surpass Pakistani cartoonist Unaiza Ali Barlas’ 267.38m-long record made on March 12 last year.
Mohd Azmi said he submitted his application to Guinness World Record last year, but was told to change his script from Bahasa Malaysia to English.
“I have started drafting my cartoon script in English, and my story is about our national car Proton Saga from its inception in the 1980s until today,” he said at his gallery in Penang Road here.
The story would begin with the first owner of the national car, a Malay man. The car would later change hands, with Indian and Chinese owners before it finally goes back to its first owner.
Mohd Azmi said his intention is to promote Malaysia, and his storyline would include the multicultural elements of Malaysia and how the different owners used the car.
“For example, the Malays in those days would hold a kenduri (feast) with friends and relatives to welcome their first car. In my cartoon, the car would then be owned by an Indian family who would turn it into a taxi.
“Its third owner, a Chinese, would paint the car red which he said would bring ong (good luck). After that, the car would finally find its way back to its first owner,” he said.
Mohd Azmi said this was a golden opportunity for him to make a name for himself on the international stage and to make all Malaysians proud.
“My target is to be able to get enough money to attempt for the Guinness World Record by the end of this year. If I cannot get enough funds, I may compete under another category which is lower in cost,” he said.
However, Mohd Azmi said one obstacle he faced was getting sponsorship as the Guinness World Record wanted him to record the whole drawing process, which would require more money.
“The cost of the 400m paper, drawing materials and recording the whole drawing process is not cheap, and I am still trying to figure out a way to get the money,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his five-year career as a cartoonist in Penang, Mohd Azmi, who goes by the pen name ME, has produced three comic books titled Tanjong Life, Little Mamak and Lost in Bagan.
Inspired by Malaysia’s renowned cartoonist Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid, popularly known as Lat, Mohd Azmi said he would release another comic by the end of this year.
“I have planned for the release of a caricature comic of 70 Penang personalities but I am currently in the process of gathering their details and seeking their approval,” he said. — Bernama