Remembering Muid Latif

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On 11 April 2020, the Wikimedia community lost one of its contributors – Muid Latif. Muid was known for his contributions as the Project Lead for Creative Commons Malaysia. Muid actively promoted the free-culture movement and open collaboration. He was a Malaysian web designer, graphic designer, and digital artist who actively encouraged the young generation to take the plunge into design and make their mark in the field. Muid was also one of the official Behance Ambassadors representing Malaysia. His demise is lamented by many not only because of his efforts in the field, but also because he passed away at the young age of 41 years.

A graduate in fine arts from the University Technology Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, Muid founded Digital Malaya Project (DMP), a collective art group that supports Malaysia’s creative multimedia industry in 2001. This Project was involved in art exhibitions from Malaysia to Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Japan and Germany, and had been involved in pro-bono projects and campaigns with the Malaysian AIDS Council, Yahoo! Flickr Malaysia group, government bodies, and NGOs such as the Perdana Leadership Foundation.

From left: Kat Walsh, Creative Commons Legal Counsel & Board member of the Wikimedia Foundation, Jennifer Kang of CC Korea, Muid Latif, Project Lead of Creative Commons Malaysia and (Diane) DaYe Jung of Creative Commons Korea in conjunction of Creative Commons Indonesia Launch, Jakarta, Indonesia on 11 November 2012

As a volunteer-promoter of youth career and free knowledge, he addressed many college youth gatherings on choosing a career in web design. Ameen Harun, one of the former students of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology recalls his close interaction with Muid when he made such a presentation at the campus in early 2000s. This lead Ameen to choose Web design as a major. The proximity also led Ameen to closely follow the Digital Malaya project and the emphasis on web standards. Ameen also recalls that he and Muid shared common interest in X-Men Comic series which further bonded their association.

Malaysian entrepreneur Chun Woei recalls how a meeting between him and Muid at a digital art exhibition led to close collaboration between them since 2004. Despite his deteriorating health, Muid was always cheerful, initiative and ready to help anyone in need in the area of digital art and creativity. He sums up Muid’s work and passion thus, “He never knew when to give up, nor did he ever feel tired even when he was sick. He would always showcase the best of his efforts to cheer up others. His passing is definitely a big loss to the digital arts and design scene in Malaysia, especially to the young talents who need someone to inspire and aspire them. He symbolized iconic bravery, strength, cheerfulness and joyful approach which carried an innate brotherly feeling. His spirit will forever live on with me and I will continue to build this community with his strength and bravery. His positive energy will always be cherished.”

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