AFTER several years of delay, the Rumah Lat Gallery was finally launched by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah in a meaningful ceremony here today.

Also present to grace the opening of the gallery which showcases the works of Malaysia’ famous cartoonist Lat or his real name is Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, was the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.

Their Royal Highnesses were greeted on arrival at about 10 am by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim who is also Perak State Museum board director, state executive council members and Lat himself.

It was earlier reported that the gallery was initially scheduled for opening in July 2021. 

Soon after the opening gambit and plaque signing ceremony Sultan Nazrin was taken on a tour of the Rumah Lat Gallery.

Earlier, Saarani in his speech said the gallery, funded by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture at a cost of RM3.81 million was fully completed in Jan 2022.

“Work on artwork installation was completed on June 30 at a cost of RM700,000 which was also borne by the ministry.

“The state government will bear all the gallery’s operating expenses in terms of maintenance and staffing,” he said.

The construction of the gallery was in line with the target of the Prosperous Perak 2030 Agenda which, among other things, emphasises on the preservation of social and cultural heritage, he added.

“The state government’s efforts to promote the creative efforts of those born in Perak will produce several more outstanding figures in the future,” he said. — Bernama