It's time to let our local talents shine - Terengganu MB

By Zalina Maizan Ngah

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29  -- “There are lots of excellent local talents in Terengganu with vast potential. It’s time we find them and let them shine.”

Those are the words uttered by the Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, which reflect his appreciation of the outstanding local talents, who may have been underappreciated by their own communities despite their talents being recognised at international level.

Hence, he said the state government will outline several strategies to track down, gather and acknowledge these talents to allow their success stories to be documented and exhibited in galleries.

“I’m sure there are many local talents with the potential to be exemplary models to others.

“I’m determined to find these talents, document their success stories and share it with the rest of the people in Terengganu and Malaysia as a whole,” he told Bernama when met today.

Earlier, Ahmad Samsuri received a visit from Terengganu-born professional artist Elias Mohd, who is residing in the Netherlands and was one of the leading Royal Dutch artists from 2013 to 2016.

Earlier this month, Bernama articles on Elias’ perseverance in drawing the faces of country leaders who have become the frontliners in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic including Ahmad Samsuri only by using coloured pencils, went viral on mainstream and social media platforms.

The Menteri Besar said it was his meeting with Elias that had sparked the idea of finding and documenting all Terengganu-born talents.

He said the stories about Elias’ abilities and achievements were extraordinary and could inspire others to keep exploring their area of interest.

“His life journey proved that nothing was impossible, what matters are the talent, determination, efforts and commitment to excel in whatever you are doing.

“I’m extremely proud and impressed by his artwork, considering that Elias is a big name international artist,” he said.

Elias, 62, who is known for his flair in his artworks, is currently teaching statue and ceramic arts in a ceramic art academy in Amsterdam.

He has conducted more than 30 solo exhibitions around the world and was chosen as the official artist of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, alongside six other Netherland professional artists.

He returned to Malaysia early this year to participate in a statue exhibition at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, which was cancelled due to the Movement Control Order since March, and now spending his time in his hometown in Kijal, Kemaman.

Besides Elias, another local talent who has become the talk of the town since yesterday was Dr Salmaan Hussain Inayat Hussain, 52, who is the only Malaysian toxicologist and pesticide expert, who has been serving the United Nations since 2012.

The Dungun-born is one of the expert panellists of the World Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) responsible for outlining the safe level of pesticides in food around the world.

-- BERNAMA