KUALA LUMPUR: Highlighting the concept of unity through kuih muih (Malaysian traditional desserts), professional mural company Art Battalion recently produced a mural running across the main driveway of Balai Berita in Bangsar as part of Media Prima's Malaysia Day and National Day campaign, themed "Manis Pahit Bersama".
Art Battalion founder Dhiyaul Mohamad Ashraf Dawari, 32 — fondly called Yaulacap — said food had always connected Malaysians, adding that diversity and unity could be promoted through the nation's favourite kuih muih.
The theme and title of the mural, "Manis Pahit Bersama", underlined the power of food in nurturing relationships in a diverse culture.
"The concept of kuih muih shows Malaysians, regardless of race and background, can sit together at one table to enjoy a variety of kuih muih from various races," said Yaulacap.
To celebrate Malaysia's multiculturalism, the mural depicts kuih muih from all over the country, with hands of various skin tones reaching out for them.
"Apart from the upcoming Merdeka Day celebration, we created this mural specifically for Media Prima staff members to symbolise togetherness among them," Yaulacap added.
He said his eight-member team took two days to do research on the design and four days to finish the mural by using both paint and spraypaint.
"Every artist has their own specialisation —be it in murals, graffiti, canvas painting, sculpting, printing, digital illustration, graphic design and architecture.
"The exhaustion of painting the murals is rewarded when people admire and appreciate the fruits of our labour," Yaulacap said, adding that his company had produced over 1,000 murals and aimed to create more art exposure through mural paintings.
Media Prima Berhad — the - largest integrated media company in Malaysia — recently launched the "Manis Pahit Bersama" campaign to celebrate diversity and unity by highlighting the nation's favourite kuih muih.
Media Prima group managing director Rafiq Razali said the campaign was one of the company's efforts to foster a sense of pride and love for the country, besides embracing the cultural diversity that defines Malaysia.
"The aim is to inspire a sense of patriotism that unites Malaysians by highlighting our favourite traditional kuih muih, snacks and desserts."