Malaysia celebrated its 66 years of independence on August 31, 2023, and here at Tatler, we took the opportunity to spotlight poems that embody the spirit of Merdeka and encapsulate the experience of living in Malaysia. We enlist the help of some very talented Malaysians—Tony Eusoff, Susan Lankester, Jojo Goh, Sangeeta Krishnasamy and Kulleh Grasi to bring these poems to life.

From a hopeful love letter to the future with echoes of the past to embracing patriotism while reminiscing the food you loved as a child and exploring one’s sense of belonging in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, we hear from these talents the beautiful writing that reminds us of the nation we love.

Also in this week’s newsletter:

• Malaysian landmarks named after women and the story behind them
• How Jared Lee plans to use his success for the local content creator community
• 5 post-independence buildings to visit in Kuala Lumpur
• We list down some Malaysia-inspired fashion collections to shop this Merdeka season

Cheers,
Sim Wie Boon
Digital Editor

You’ve seen the bright lights and dramatic drone photography of the iconic Saloma Link Bridge in Kuala Lumpur. But did you know that this incredible architectural project is one of several landmarks in the nation named after women? From the unmistakable singer and actress Salmah Ismail (also known as Saloma) to Japanese Occupation-era freedom fighter Sybil Kathigasu, we look at five unique buildings and locations in Malaysia named after inspirational female figures from the past and present.

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Filmmaker and Grim Film founder Jared Lee, the first Malaysian to bag a San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) Film Festival award, looks back on his monumental win and reveals his plans for the local content creator community.

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The years after Malaya achieved independence in 1957 were exciting in terms of architecture. Termed as post-independence or post-Merdeka architecture, this style reflected a captivating blend of cultural diversity and modern aspirations embodying the nation’s journey towards identity and progress. We delve into the histories of five of them.

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From nostalgic prints inspired by our favourite childhood snacks to references to our rich history, local designers have put their all into crafting their Merdeka-inspired collections this year. We've listed out five local designers that show us how to celebrate our country’s 66th in style.

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