Malaysia Boleh!

As we approach Malaysia’s 66th Independence Day, let us look into some homegrown success stories to uncover narratives that resonate far beyond geographical borders. This group of visionaries consists of artists who painted their emotions onto the world's stage, of athletes who defied limitations to claim victory, and even digital creators who turned humble ideas into captivating virtual realities - basically your regular Malaysians who’ve done the nation proud!

Yusuf Madi
This talented Malaysian photographer with a focus on capturing the beauty of landscapes, nature, and wildlife, had achieved the esteemed recognition of being highly commended for one of his photographs featured in the 2021 Mangrove Photography Awards held in the United States.

Among an impressive collection of 1,327 entries, Yusuf's photograph was handpicked as one of the distinguished 28 images for recognition. The celebrated image, "Radiant Celestial Lights Over Mangrove Tree," captures a breathtaking scene where the Milky Way illuminates the sky above a majestic mangrove tree situated at Mersing Beach, Pulau Mawar.

Sofyank
Mohamad Sofian, or Sofyank, is well known for creating digital VFX or visual effects working closely with global stars on multiple occasions. His video productions have achieved millions of views, solidifying his widespread recognition. You may have seen the video he did with Paul Rudd with Marvel Studios for Ant-Man 2.

In April 2023, he entered the Ultimate VFX Challenge - Magic of the Month competition organised by renowned digital content designer Zach King where he competed against two other content creators in several challenges as well as had to complete a short VFX piece. He smashed it, earning him even more recognition! Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sent him this message, congratulating Sofyank for his achievement and for driving the creative force in the country.

Annice Lyn
Another photographer that became the nation’s pride when she secured the prestigious Gold Award in the Winter Sports category at the recent World Sports Photography Awards 2023 - and this is just one of the many awards Annice has accumulated throughout her career.

For the World Sports Photography Award, Annice skillfully captured a captivating moment, freezing Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova in mid-air while elegantly adorned in a Wonder Woman costume. Warm congratulations flowed in from highly respected figures, including legendary squash player Datuk Nicol David and globally acclaimed artist Red Hong Yi.

Siti Saleha Baharom
Saleha achieved her first international victory as she clinched the Malaysia Model Star Award, a category in the 15th Asia Model Festival 2020 held in Seoul, South Korea. Recognized for her roles in well-received TV series like Mamak Cupcake and Terbaik Dari Langit, she’s also an ambassador for global brands such as Palmolive and L’Oréal Paris.

Her ascent to stardom remains on an upward trajectory, fueled by the unwavering appreciation and affection of her dedicated Malaysian supporters.

Chong Keat-aun
In 2020, Malaysian director Chong Keat-aun was awarded the Best New Director Award at the 57th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei. His work, titled The Story of Southern Islet, draws inspiration from his own family experiences and vividly presents a blend of Hokkien, Kedah Malay, and Siamese dialects.

Following in the footsteps of the late Yasmin Ahmad, Chong is dedicated to creating further cinematic pieces that authentically reflect the diverse populace of Malaysia, highlighting the captivating richness of its local cultures.

Photo by mkjr_ on Unsplash.