For the Lat of money
Financial LATeracy combines money management smarts with the iconic cartoons of Lat.
A WOMAN walks proudly out of a shopping mall with a new pair of jeans, only to do a double take when she sees they are selling for much cheaper at the pasar malam. Two cyclists show off their increasingly exorbitant tyre purchases, while their third, wiser friend deposits his money in the bank instead.
These are only two of the many cartoons drawn by legendary Malaysian cartoonist Datuk Lat on display at Financial LATeracy, an exhibition, which opened recently at the Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
The exhibition showcases about 150 caricatures drawn by Datuk Lat from 1999- 2012 for Buku Wang Saku ( Pocket Money Book), a financial project instituted by Bank Negara to nurture Malaysians to inculcate prudent money management from a young age.
Conceptualised by Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Bank Negara Malaysia governor, the Buku Wang Saku project was introduced as part of the national savings campaign launched in 1996 as an effort to nurture Malaysians to be financially savvy. Since 1999, 15 million copies of Buku Wang Saku have been circulated to school children, with Lat’s famous drawings featured in them.
In his speech during the launch, Lat hoped the exhibition would inspire young people to be successful and prudent in their money management.
“I wish that our children would grow up to be people who know the value of money, and know how to take care of their expenses. I want them to be learned Malaysians, and also very wealthy!” says Lat with a smile.
In the exhibition’s catalogue, Zeti wrote, “Financial LATeracy is a remarkable compilations of many things at once. It is a nostalgic walk down memory lane. It is a humourous yet motivational messsage that is simplified in priceless works of art.”
Financial LATeracy is organised into six categories: Plan Your Finances, Save and Invest, Track and Review Spending, Be a Smart Consumer, Student’s Financial Club and The Hummingbird Story. Look out for appearances by some of Lat’s most famous characters, including Mamat the Kampung Boy and the bossy, beehive- hairdoed teacher Mrs Hew!
Apart from its whimsical caricatures, the exhibition also includes insightful messages on personal financial management, consumer responsibilities, moral values, as well as Malaysian culture and traditions, all presented in a light- hearted manner. It will certainly bring back fond memories for the many users of Buku Wang Saku, as well as fans of Lat’s creative cartoons.
will be showing at the Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery, Sasana Kijang, No. 2, Jalan Datuk Onn in Kuala Lumpur from now until early next year. Admission is free. the gallery is open daily from 10am to 6pm, including weekends. For more information and enquiries, contact 03- 9179 2784 or email infomuseum@ bnm. gov. my. Browse: www. museumbnm. gov. my.