{
  "id": 3157231,
  "title": "Rossem draws Malaysia’s Merdeka memories",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/rossem-draws-malaysias-merdeka-memories",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T00:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/08/25/rossem-draws-malaysias-merdeka-memories"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Veteran cartoonist Rossem, 79, has captured Malaysia's Merdeka memories through his art, particularly the declaration of independence on August 31, 1957. Tunku Abdul Rahman, known as the \"Bapa Kemerdekaan\" or Father of Independence, remains a central figure in his work. Without images of Tunku, Rossem believes that the story of Merdeka would be incomplete.\n\nFor Rossem, drawing has become a way to preserve memories that might otherwise fade, especially for younger Malaysians who might only know the country's early history through books, photographs, or screens. He has also drawn scenes from everyday life before and after independence, such as the old ferry service across Sungai Binjai in Selangor.\n\nBorn in 1948, Rossem has also drawn from his experiences as a police officer during the communist insurgency in 1969. He sees his drawings as a bridge between generations, helping younger Malaysians understand periods they may not remember firsthand, such as the ferry crossing or the security challenges faced after independence. Over 700 of his works are housed at the Rossem Cartoon Gallery in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, offering a visual journey through Malaysian history and culture.",
  "summary": "At 79, veteran cartoonist Rosidi Semail is still turning memories of Malaysia’s past into drawings that speak across generations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Anwar draws on Prophet’s legacy as he vows to drive Malaysia’s reform agenda",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/anwar-draws-on-prophets-legacy-as-he-vows-to-drive-malaysias-reform",
        "published": "2026-08-25T00:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Rossem draws Malaysia’s Merdeka memories",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/rossem-draws-malaysias-merdeka-memories-3157604",
        "published": "2026-08-25T00:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Anwar applauds Sukma 2026 champions, urges youth to chase glory and carry Malaysia’s name worldwide",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/anwar-applauds-sukma-2026-champions-urges-youth-to-chase-glory-and",
        "published": "2026-08-25T01:56:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}