By Zaki Salleh
BATU GAJAH: Since reading about the opening of the Gallery and Rumah Lat last July, Mustafa, who resides in Johor, was excited to visit there.
Growing up with Lat’s comic strips, or his real name, Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, he planned to visit the gallery whenever he had the chance.
Yesterday, Mustafa’s desire to visit the Gallery and Rumah Lat was fulfilled when he took the opportunity during the holiday to visit Perak.
He felt thrilled to see various collections and works of this renowned cartoonist, including personal collections on display.
Describing the visit as worthwhile, he was slightly disappointed because the replica of Lat’s house was closed temporarily, and the souvenir shop was not opened.
“I felt satisfied visiting there, I was just a little disappointed because the replica of Lat’s house was closed. Where are we supposed to know if it’s open or closed since we don’t check Facebook all the time (State Museum Board).
“Considering it’s Visit Perak Year now, I didn’t expect Lat’s house replica to be closed temporarily,” he said.
A sense of disappointment was also shared by a visitor from Kuala Lumpur, Nora Shazwani Yusof, as she couldn’t buy souvenirs as a keepsake.
She said the management of Galeri Lat should have considered visitors who wanted to purchase souvenirs.
“At least they could have bought keychains or stickers as souvenirs. This is something the gallery should take note of besides the absence of a café or kiosk selling drinks,” she said.
The Lat House Gallery was built to commemorate Datuk Lat’s contributions and ensure all his works can be exhibited in one special place throughout his career since 1962.
