What you can do:


Writer: Vila Somiah
Artist: Timothy James
Layout: Charis Loke
Editor: Charis Loke, Deborah Augustin

This comic was funded by a Democracy Discourse Series grant. It is also available in the following languages: Bahasa Iban, Bahasa Malaysia/ Melayu, Chinese, Dusun (coming soon).

Dr. Vilashini Somiah is a Sabahan anthropologist who received her PhD from the National University of Singapore. Currently a senior lecturer at the Gender Studies Programme at the University of Malaya, her work focuses primarily on underrepresented narratives of women, youth, migrants and marginalised Borneans living in the interiors. With over a decade of research experience behind her Dr. Somiah has also produced interdisciplinary research in the fields of history, politics and socio-economy. Outside of academia, she writes ethnographic articles on the local socio-political landscape.

Timothy James is a lowbrow artist born & bred in Kuching, Borneo. His artwork juxtaposes primitive Dayak tattoos with post-modern society taboos. Alternative art by the altered native. His works can be found at Instagram @turoibagak.