Merdeka, or the period of Independence saw a historical opportunity for a definitive articulation and shaping of a Malaysian identity. In reality, the struggles and contestation of symbolism, aesthetics and socio-political values continue to influence what constitutes ‘Malaysia design’. ‘Malaysia design’ is fluid and in constant negotiation, and we can begin to unravel the threads of influences through the choices of imagery and symbolism that were articulated, reiterated, diffused and persisted through different forms of design work until today.
Artifacts from the period of independence
Magazine: Variety Show
1960 Variety Show programme book published by the Dondang Sayang Club.
Souvenir Programme: Chinese Swimming Club
1961, Chinese Swimming Club Penang souvenir programme. A fundraising event “Dollars for Songs” courtesy of the “Nightingale Melodians” and their vocalists, the Chinese Swimming Club
Advertisement: Shell
To commemorate the birth of a new nation, Shell published a book titled MALAYSIANS, published in Singapore in 1963. The book featured costumes and ceremonies in
Advertisement: AJINOMOTO
This multilingual advertisement for AJINOMOTO depicts a map of a newly formed Malaysia as the backdrop, symbolising the common patriotism that grounds this sense of
Magazine: The Straits Times Annual 1963
The Straits Times Annual publication covered various topics in Malaysia - political events, cultural history and tradition, arts and crafts, folklore, indigenous, economy and
Magazine: Dewan Masharakat
Dewan Masharakat, a magazine focusing on knowledge and culture, was published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and first launched in September 1963.
Magazine: Pembina
Magazine about education, news, politics, nationalism and the spirit of Merdeka. Cover shows a collage of the heads of the Malay sultanate states flanking Tuanku Abdul
Poster: Peluang baik membuat duit! Hadiah $12,000!
1960s wanted poster issued by the Criminal Investigation Department. – Title: Peluang baik membuat duit! Hadiah $12,000! Language: Tamil Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Poster
Poster: Peluang baik membuat duit! Hadiah $12,000!
1960 wanted poster issued by the Criminal Investigation Department. – Title: Peluang baik
Comic: Buaya Mati Dua Kali
“Buaya Mati Dua Kali”, 1962 comic, published by Saudara Sinaran Berhad, Penang. – Title: Buaya Mati Dua Kali Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic:
Greeting Card: Selamat Hari Raya (Eid)
1960s Selamat Hari Raya Greeting Card – Title: Selamat Hari Raya Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Greeting Card Publisher: nil Printer: nil Date:
Greeting Card: Selamat Hari Raya (Eid)
1960s Selamat Hari Raya Greeting Card – Title: Selamat Hari Raya Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Greeting Card Publisher: nil Printer: nil Date:
Greeting Card: Selamat Hari Raya (Eid)
1960s Selamat Hari Raya Greeting Card – Title: Selamat Hari Raya Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Greeting Card Publisher: nil Printer: nil Date:
Greeting Card: Selamat Hari Raya (Eid)
1969 Selamat Hari Raya Greeting Card – Title: Selamat Hari Raya Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Greeting Card Publisher: nil Printer: nil Date:
Label: Headache Powder, Three Hand Brand
– Title: Headache Powder, Three Hand Brand Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Packaging Client: King Wah Drug Co. Publisher: – Printer: nil Date:
Book Cover: Malaysia Year Book
– Title: Malaysia Year Book 1968/9 Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Book Cover Client: nil Publisher: nil Date: 1969 Dimensions: nil Technique: nil
Advertisement: Malayan Banking Berhad
– Title: Malayan Banking Berhad Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Advertisement Printer: nil Publisher: – Date: 1968 Dimensions: nil Technique: nil –
Advertisement: Malaysia Singapore Airlines
– Title: Malaysia Singapore Airlines Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Advertisement Printer: nil Publisher: – Date: 1968 Dimensions: nil Technique: nil –
Advertisement: Marican’s
– Title: Marican’s Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Advertisement Printer: nil Publisher: – Date: 1968 Dimensions: nil Technique: nil –
Book Cover: Nyawa Di-Hujong Pedang
A personal accounts of an individual sufferings at the hands of the Japanese. Published by the author and printed by Khee Meng Press, Kuala Lumpur.
Brochure: Pasaria UMNO
1964 Pasaria UMNO brochure.
Brochure: Malayan Railway
1958 brochure "Services and Facilities Provided by Malayan Railway".
Title Graphic: Hikayat Sang Kancil
Hikayat Sang Kancil or The legend of the Mousedeer is an animated film based on a classic Malay folktale. – Title: Hikayat Sang Kancil Language:
Title Graphic: Hikayat Sang Kancil
Hikayat Sang Kancil or The legend of the Mousedeer is an animated film based on a classic Malay folktale. – Title: Hikayat Sang Kancil Language:
Book: Suara Demokrasi
Communist Party of Malaya "Special Edition" 58th Anniversary Booklet.
Voting Card: 1958 Parti Sosialis Rakyat
1958 voting card for Parti Sosialis Rakyat
Voting Card: 1959 Parti Perikatan (Alliance Party)
1959 voting card for Parti Perikatan (Alliance Party)
Book: Mysticism in Malaya
An interesting study of mysticism in Malaya.
Collector’s Card: Bombing of Malaya
A card from a large set that was released by Edito-Service S.A. in 1977 (also known as Atlas Editions Cards) and was available through mail
Book Cover: Modern Teaching Atlas for Malayan Schools
Modern Teaching Atlas for Malayan Schools
First Day Cover: Penang Free School
First day cover to commemorate 150 years anniversary of Penang Free School.
Collector’s Card: Invasion of Malaya
A card from a large set that was released by Edito-Service S.A. in 1977 (also known as Atlas Editions Cards) and was available through mail
Collector’s Card: General Yamashita
A card from a large set that was released by Edito-Service S.A. in 1977 (also known as Atlas Editions Cards) and was available through mail
Collector’s Card: Resistance in Malaya
A card from a large set that was released by Edito-Service S.A. in 1977 (also known as Atlas Editions Cards) and was available through mail
Greeting Card: Christmas
1950s Malayan Christmas Greeting Card – Title: Greetings Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Greeting Card Publisher: nil Printer: nil Date: 1950s Dimensions: 127mm
Greeting Card: Christmas
1950s Malayan Christmas Greeting Card
Greeting Card: Christmas
1950s Malayan Christmas Greeting Card
Greeting Card: Christmas
1950s Malayan Christmas Greeting Card
Book: Tunas Bahasa Kebangsaan
1961 School Text book "Tunas Bahasa Kebangsaan", a Malay language subject for Tamil and Chinese students in the primary level.
Book: Structural Modern English
1964 Standard Three school text book on "Structural Modern English", a revised edition of the former "Modern English Course".
Magazine: Majallah Bahasa Kebangsaan
Educational magazine targeted to Chinese to encourage and educate the learnings of the national language.
Magazine: Qalam
1961 Qalam magazine
Magazine: 1974 Julai Mastika
Issue July '74 titled 'Kunjungan Sejarah Razak Ke Peking'.
Leaflet: Moon Light
1957 movie flyer for "Moon Light" showing in Malaysia.
Leaflet: Warning From Space
1958 movie flyer for "Warning From Space" showing at Tai Khoon Theatre, Sandakan. "Warning From Space" is a first Japanese science fiction film produced
Cover : Children’s Paradise Issue 42
Lo Koon-chiu founded the full-colour children’s comic book Children's Paradise in 1953 in the capacity of both editor-in-chief and artist, thus becoming one of the
Book Cover : Nyawa Di-Hujong Pedang
A personal accounts of an individual sufferings at the hands of the Japanese. Published by the author and printed by Khee Meng Press, Kuala Lumpur.
Magazine: The Straits Times Annual 1957
On the cover, Maria Menado, a datuk, an actress and dubbed as the most beautiful woman in Malaya by Times Magazine. She is significant in
Movie Poster: Ibu Mertuaku
1962 Poster for "Ibu mertuaku" starring P.Ramlee.
Signage: No Entry! Independence 31st August 1957
Signage posted around Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, on 31st August 1957
Advertisement: Sumpah Pontianak
1958, Advertisement of ‘Sumpah Pontianak’ by Keris Film Production (Source) – Title: Sambongan Film-Film Pontianak Yang Asli Language: Malay / English / Chinese Designer: nil
Advertisement: Pontianak Gua Musang
1964 Advertisement for the release of ‘Pontianak Gua Musang’ (Source) – Title: Malay Film Productions Ltd. Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Advertisement Client:
Leaflet: Anak Pontianak
1958 Chinese flyer for the movie ‘Anak Pontianak’ by Ramon Estella (Source) – Title: Anak Pontianak Language: Chinese Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Leaflet Client:
Standee: Orang Minyak
Promotional standee for the 1958 movie ‘Orang Minyak’ (Source) – Title: Orang Minyak Language: English / Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Promotional Standee Client:
Magazine: Mastika – Menyambut Kelahiran Malaysia
Front and Back cover of 'Mastika' magazine.
Book: Tiga sumber dan tiga komponen marxisme
After the Second World War, the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) fought successively the British colonial government and the Malayan government. Support for the MCP came
Pamphlet: Kenang2an Sejarah
Pamphlet on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the 10th Regiment 1974. From: 10th Regiment of the Malayan People’s Army Archives (Source) – Title:
Listener Card: Radio Malaysia Sabah
Listener Card from Radio Sabah in 1977, 665kHz mediumwave.
Stamp: Pelajaran Rendah Percuma
(Source) – Title: Pelajaran Rendah Percuma (10, 25 dan 30 sen) Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Stamp Client: nil Publisher: nil Date: 1hb
Stamp: Kempen Menchegah Kelaparan
Title: Kempen Menchegah Kelaparan (25, 30 & 50 cent) Language: Malay
Leaflet: Merdeka Offer..
Leaflet 4786/HPWS/181 is a two-sided Merdeka amnesty leaflet. The code “HPWS” stands for Head, Psychological Warfare Section. On the front it depicts the letter to
Stamp: 10 cent 1957
31 Ogos 1957 Hari Kemerdekaan Watermark: Multiple Tudor crown & script “CA” (Source) – Title: Malaya, Persekutuan Tanah Melayu Language: Malay Designer: E.M.A.B. Saman Type
Magazine: Bulanan Gelanggang Filem
(Source) – Title: Bulanan Gelanggang Filem Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Magazine Editorial Client: nil Publisher: nil Date: 1961 Dimensions: nil Technique: nil
Advertisement: The 707 Express Goes Daily
An advertisement for Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (Source) – Title: The 707 Express Goes Daily Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Inside Cover Advertisement Client: Malaysia-Singapore
Advertisement: The 707 Express
An advertisement for Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (Source) – Title: The 707 Express Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Inside Cover Advertisement Client: Malaysia-Singapore Airlines Publisher:
Advertisement: Malaysia-Singapore Airlines
Malaysia-Singapore Airlines Advertisement (Source) – Title: Bangkok – Penang Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Advertisement Client: Malaysia-Singapore Airlines Publisher: nil Date: 23 September
Record Cover: P.Ramlee
EP P. Ramlee – Parlophone EGEP 628 (1967). A record cover with triangular patterns used as the background.
Record Cover: Twist Malaysia
Record ‘Twist Malaysia’ with P.Ramlee Orchestra, Parlophone DPE 8178. A striking orange record cover with playful san-serif
Movie Poster: Masam Masam Manis
A love story between a school teacher and a musician. Black and white movie poster with vertical montages of 3 women can be seen in
Stamp: 30 cent Federation of Malaya
This stamp shows a map of ‘Malaya’. It was issued on May 5, 1957. It
