GOASIAPLUS August 2018

INSIGHT
FROM TOP Madam Goh Kwooi
Thai preparing for Chinese opera
show in Ipoh; Tay Kim Wha, an
employee in a wine and liqour
business in Melaka; Bakar bin
Job, a parang craftsman from
Kota Belud, Sabah
and he’s still there after so many years,” he refers to
Thirunavu, the friendly neighbourhood barber at Star
Barber back in Ipoh that he managed to visit one last
time before Thirunavu closed his business.
Kenny etch the memories of a barber’s craft in the
olden days and lament for another lost trade. Similarly,
he explored all over the country and photographed
many others regardless of socio-economic backgrounds,
age, race, religion and culture. Therefore, ‘Born in
Malaysia’ is more relevant now as perception changes
as a person grow and this photobook helps one to
cherish the multifaceted portrayal of Malaysians in
their own special way. Kenny works closely with Tan
Joo Lee, writer of the book, in cementing their tales.
When asked about his way of getting people to
share their private stories to a stranger, “I would first
observe the person and collect courage to start a
conversation. You will be surprised at their friendliness
with a simple ‘hello’.” This journey, Kenny feels, has
given him a whole new perspective in life.
Kenny’s upcoming book ‘Born in Merdeka – The
Orang Asli Story’ is centered on his journey for ‘orang
asli’, the indigenous people of Malaysia that is often
marginalised to highlight their plights in our developing
country. Working closely with Jahabar Sadiq the book
writer and antropologist Kamal Solhaimi Fadzil, this
project follows different tribes of orang asli in getting
their voices out.
For more inspiring stories and photographs, go
to www.born-in-malaysia.com. Find ‘Born in
Malaysia’ selling on bookshelves at most major
bookstores in Malaysia.
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