“Dan Lain-Lain” Malaysian: Ukit/Bhuket”

This paper is a proposal for the participation of BAKAT MUDA SEZAMAN 2023, the issue highlighted is related to addressing the topic on ‘identity’ and the ‘unheard Malaysians’ that has been categorised as “Dan Lain-Lain”. For those who are unfamiliar with Malaysian governing system, we have four categories to fit our identity:  Malay, Chinese,  Indian Lain-lain (Others) So what is ‘lain-lain’ (the others)? Who are the ‘lain-lain’ (others) in our country? This segregation system is an outdated British strategy that has caused us to be unaware of the diversity we have in Malaysia. This identity system unfortunately has caused us to also be very self-centred and ignorant despite still being able to be integrated as a nation. It can be said that it has been one of the leading factors preventing us from being a united nation. Not to mention, in the earlier days, unity was advertised by showing 3 races (Malay, Chinese, Indian) sitting or standing together. After many years, they added two more (Iban and Kadazan) and so forth. But it doesn’t address the real issue which is – who are the ‘Lain-Lain’ and why can’t we just be Malaysian? The Malaysian artist, Lim Sheng Feiyan had an opportunity to travel around Malaysia and through that journey she discovered that Malaysia has more than 250 ethnic/sub-ethnic groups under the ‘Dan Lain-Lain’ category.

The idea is to combine both Lim Sheng Feiyan (artist) technique of artwork with the Ukit/Bhuket’s technique of rattan weaving. The additional idea is to also share the ‘Dan Lain-Lain’ categories while giving the public a chance to share their ‘rojak’ (mixed) identities as an active participation.

 How the food portrait idea was born at the end of 2014, a year every Malaysian remembers to be particularly trying (MH370, MH17, etc). Racial unity was rift following a host of unfortunate events, something every Malaysian doesn’t miss. There was a point in time when negativity grew and the artist asked herself, what is the one thing that all of us Malaysians can relate to and be united with – it was our Malaysian food. Our Malaysian food is something we all have in common that we all share together.

As Malaysians, we love our food. Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate. But Malaysian food takes it to the next level and we know it! Our food has always been the gesture of peace which allows us to sit, eat and enjoy each other’s company despite our differences. It is our differences that makes us unique. These new artworks are about showcasing not only the beauty in the variety of the Ukit/Bhuket food but the message that our diversity as Malaysian is equally beautiful.

The artist had the opportunity to meet the Ukit/Bhuket community in 2022 when they shared their challenges of how many (including Sarawak) do not know they exist. Hence, this is more than just “food art”. This is conceptual work, portraying the story of the artist who went on a journey around Malaysia and discovered the Ukit/Bhuket people and culture.

This is a new journey that aims to recognize and collaborate with the community to show how unique when we work together. As a Malaysian artist, she realises that for almost 60 years since Malaysia was formed, Malaysians are still ignorant about the many other people and cultures in their own land and she hopes through food, it will bring curiosity and a good first introduction to the public.

By documenting their traditional food, it will allow the artist to uniquely share their stories to the public. This will be the FIRST concept to focus ONLY ON AN ETHNIC COMMUNITY. Just like food cannot last forever, hence why the importance is about capturing the moment we have together with the people while working together to capture ALL the elements we need to form these sets of artworks. The artist also believes by combining both styles of work with the Ukit/Bhuket community it will bring a sense of inclusiveness and positive impact as we work together (despite being separated by the sea since the geographical challenges for the artist living in West Malaysia while the Ukit/Bhuket community lives deep in East Malaysia) with a common goal to bring awareness to the unheard community and how it takes two hands to clap.

The artist believes it’s time to reveal to the public what defines a Malaysian. To the artist, Malaysia means ‘all of us together’. This work has a variety of sizes and dimensions. The following are suggested works installation :-