'Kampung Boy Award' for talented local cartoonists

A special award, to be known as "Anugerah Kampung Boy" (Kampung Boy Award), will be introduced to recognise the talent of local cartoonists next year.

Malaysian Cartoonist Club executive council member Ahmad Hilmy Abdullah said the idea to introduce the award was mooted by Malaysian cartoonist icon Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid or Lat, together with other cartoonists in the country.

He said with the involvement of many cartoonists and animators in the country's arts industry now, it was time for such an award to be introduced.

"It is in appreciation of the role and contributions of cartoonists in fostering unity among the people through their work," added.

He was met after then launch of the award at the Assembly of Cartoonists in Subang Jaya here Saturday.

Ahmad Hilmy said a committee, comprising local cartoonists, would meet early next year to decide on the panel of judges who would determine the recipient of the award.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Nor said the introduction of the award would motivate local cartoonists to continue to improve on the quality of their work.

"I believe that it will also help to draw more youths to be involved in the country's arts industry," he added.

Earlier, he launch a comic book, 'Anthologykapalooza' , produced by a group of young cartoonists.