Although it has been two decades since the end of the 90s, the era somehow manages to feel like it was just yesterday. As technology changes, so does the various forms of media.
By Jo Ch’ng
Nowadays, a lot of Malaysian media is available online to allow for convenience. But it wasn’t always this way. In the pre-internet era, Malaysians relied on print magazines and comics for entertainment and to catch up with the latest news. What did we read back then? Let’s take a look at seven nostalgic reads from the 90s.
1. Lat’s comics
Source: https://alchetron.com/Lat
Datuk Mohammad Nor bin Mohammad Khalid, better known as Lat, has been publishing comics since 1974. His best-known work is The Kampung Boy (1979) which has been reprinted 16 times! He recreated his memories of growing up in a small kampung in Kota Bharu, Perak. He is the only Malaysian cartoonist to be recognised by both Malaysia and Singapore as a “living legend”. Many may have traded kampung life for the big cities as the nation changes around us, but we will always recognise Lat’s distinctive style.
2. Galaxie
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/galaxiemagazine/
First published in 1974 by Star Publications (M) Sdn. Bhd., this fortnightly English entertainment magazine focused on delivering the latest gossip about Western stars. Each issue published lyrics for the most recent chart-toppers along with free glossy posters of celebs! Perfect for decorating your walls. Not only that, they had a penpal column and regular contests that allowed us to win some merchandise. Unfortunately, after 39 long years of correcting misheard lyrics and keeping us updated on Hollywood’s hottest stars, Galaxie finally bid us goodbye in December 2013. They will be missed by all.
3. Y.G
Source: https://www.facebook.com/yglovefans/photos/a.239290149517010/367810859998271
For those who preferred keeping up with Asia’s entertainment news, there was Y.G (Not to be confused with YG Entertainment). This was one of Malaysia’s best-selling Mandarin lifestyle magazines from the 90s to the 00s, covering all the latest styles and trends from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China. These magazines were a must-have for anyone who preferred K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop!
4. Kuntum
Source: https://bookstore.thestar.com.my/product.aspx?id=MG-50004
The iconic bee on the cover is enough to catapult most of us back into our primary school days. Kuntum combined education and entertainment into one magazine in an effort to encourage young kids to read. This Malay-English edutainment magazine was very popular across the nation because it covered a wide variety of topics in an easy to understand manner. Kids who subscribed to Kuntum also had access to Kuntum Club, where they could take part in fun activities. Not only is Kuntum still going strong, their mascots—Pintar and Comel—frequently make appearances at schools all over the nation.
5. Star Weekly 星星周刊
Source: https://www.pubu.com.tw/magazine/191716
For Mandarin readers, there was Star Weekly. This edutainment magazine followed the adventures of the Four-eyed family and KOPI dog as they learned more about science and the world around them. Aside from educational comics, it also had columns for students to mail in their best essays, which would be used as UPSR reference material. As of 2020, Star Weekly has migrated online and future issues will be available via subscription on Sin Chew Daily Chinese Newspaper’s website.
6. Gila-Gila
Source: https://www.hmetro.com.my/utama/2019/06/463232/gila-kumpul-gila-gila
What do you get when you combine folklore, humour, and satire with art? Gila-gila of course! The magazine released its first issue in 1978 and has leaned into its motto as the “national satirical magazine” ever since, delivering heavy doses of witty jokes through its comics and columns. Often political and social, the publication mostly poked fun at our society and politics through a set of puns, wordplay (gila-gila!), and literary jokes. Fans of the magazine can rejoice! The publisher—Malaysian Cartoon and Comic House—digitised the entire archive of this magazine and put it online in May 2019. Those who want to relive their childhood days can browse older issues via their website.
7. Archie Comics
Anyone who has been to a small dinky hair salon will be familiar with Archie Comics. There was a point in the 90s where it seemed like every hairdresser’s station had a few strewn on top or stuffed into the desk. For some reason, the outlandish adventures of Archie in Riverdale just appealed to us. Whether it was waiting for our turn on a plastic chair or keeping still in the barber’s chair, Archie never failed to entertain us.
Do you remember reading any of these when you were growing up? Which ones were your favourites and what did you like most about them? Are you still subscribed to any of these? Be sure to let us know!
Jo Ch’ng is a pop-culture enthusiast who likes reading and writing queer fiction.