23/11/2025

ON SUNDAY November 23, 2025 theSunday Special IV

“I graduated in 2015. Between 2017 and 2024, I produced and published a total of nine children’s books. These books have been featured on local radio and in publications. “One of my proudest achievements so far was when I received the consolation prize at the Yusof Gajah Illustration Award for children’s book illustration,” said Saluji. Some of the stories are written by Saluji, while fellow Orang Asli writers write others. Some of the titles include Nenek dengan Yeok Luat, Biar Pete Besuara, Kisah Tenung Bangkong, Kancil dan Siput, Manusia Menjadi Ular, Hantu Lipas and Suara Engkuk . He is currently in the midst of publishing his next book, titled Kenan Rusa . “ 0\ ¿UVW FKLOGUHQ¶V VWRU\ERRN LV DERXW an issue faced by the Orang Asli commu nity regarding land. A company had taken over our village and its surrounding farms. Through the book, we were able to voice the reality of the situation, not just to our

community but also to the wider public. The issue also involved environmental destruction. “For the Orang Asli , nature is a source of protection, life and an integral part of our beliefs and traditions. Storytelling has always been a key medium used by our elders to educate the younger generation. Therefore, through each book, I aim to share stories about the lifestyle, culture, customs, beliefs and values of tolerance within the Orang Asli community,” he explained. For Saluji, art has been ingrained in him since childhood. Drawing, to him, is like IRRG DQG DUW LWVHOI LV WKH ÀDYRXU DQG VRXO of his life. Back in school, nearly all his H[HUFLVH ERRNV ZHUH ¿OOHG ZLWK GUDZLQJV He even admitted to skipping class once so that he could spend time drawing in the art room. Apart from children’s books, he also creates artworks in various forms, including zines, comics, graphic novels and canvas paintings.

Painting a better future BY HANNEF ESQUANDER ER

A RT crosses borders and is inclusive for all. Some people may think that art is irrelevant and has no place in our lives, but art transcends the current space that we occupy as human beings. It takes us to places that we have never been and it is the voice for the voiceless. Let’s not even talk about the possibility of turning art into a career because it is seen as too far-fetched, delusional and pointless. This has got to change. It may take someone like Bah Saluji to get people WR ¿QDOO\ VHH DUW ZLWK D IUHVK VHW RI H\HV because art has obviously seeped through from the city, where most people thought it belonged, into the deep hinterland where Saluji was born and raised. He was born in Perak and belongs to the Semai Orang Asli community. He developed an interest in drawing at the age of six and decided to pursue this passion by continuing his education at an art school in Shah Alam.

Art is the voice for the voiceless. It takes us to places we have never been.” ce for . It aces er

Saluji