phase 2 (2016-2018):

REDISCOVERING EACH OTHER

our JOURNEY AROUND MALAYSIA

When Phase 1: Vision for Malaysia was over, we realized that we weren't even close to scratching the surface of discovering and understanding Malaysia. This led us to The Rojak Projek's Phase 2: Rediscovering Each Other. From Malaysia Day 2016 onwards, we traveled through our 13 states and achieved two main things:

1. Filmed a documentary of our 'not-so-perfect-but-very-heartcore' journey where we collected Malaysian stories in a bid to understand the different cultures in each state and discover elements of unity and 'rojak' (mixes) embedded in their local architecture, languages, people and many other areas.

2. We continued our art movement and in the process of exploring different kinds of food, we were able to experience interesting local cultures and meet tribes that we have never even heard of before.

Our journey gave birth to produced 540 artworks showcasing Malaysians from all 13 states. Why 540? Because Malaysia was born on the 16th of September 1963 (54 years prior to 2017) when East Malaysia was included as an essential part of the Malaysian federation. Without Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia would not be Malaysia. In 2018, we added the final 10 to make it 550 in conjunction with Malaysia Day.

Check out our extended version : Our final chapter

/ Disciplines: Malaysian impact and awareness

DOCUMENTARY

additional images THAT WERE NOT SHOWN IN THE DOCUMENTARY (2016-2017)

Lawas, Sarawak We landed in Miri and travelled up north to Lawas, passing Brunei twice with our passport. We stayed with our Kelabit family's kampung to discover and learn more about their stories, culture and food. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak That night itself, we took a chance to meet the Lunbawang community as they were preparing a feast for an engagement between a Kelabit and Lunbawang. As we were worried we may step over the line not knowing about their culture, we were in fact accepted and immediately took part in their activities. Here's Faye trying to prepare Kuih Kelupis. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak Rachel and Faye helping to arrange the Kuih Kelupis to be steamed. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Lawas, Sarawak We then asked a few aunties what was it that they were making and here we are participating in wrapping the Nubaq Layaq, a traditional wrapped rice known to the Orang Ulu in Sarawak. Believe us when we say, it wasn't easy! (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak Morning awaits us to our first tasting, Nubaq Layaq (Softened Rice) eaten with vegetables and meat. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak Here is our Tepuq* (Grandaunty or Granduncle in Kelabit language). We were so grateful we could feast with them in the meals that was prepared for the family. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Lawas, Sarawak We came back to the Lunbawang community to learn and assist them on how to traditionally wrap the Nubaq Layaq. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak We then noticed and witness how the women in their community know their roles in preparation. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak The Lunbawang men also knows their roles in portioning the meat together. It's always fun when you do things together. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Lawas, Sarawak Here's Faye and Rachel in the process of wrapping our meal! Thanks Anderson Kalang for most of the video shots! (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak Just for additional information, it was really, really hot. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak That's our Tepuq! Adorable isn't he! We were so grateful that we were so welcomed with love. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Lawas, Sarawak We decided to travel to Lawas Market and we found this yummy 'Ikan Tahai' snack! Yummy!	Lawas, Sarawak Tamu Market in Lawas, Sarawak. The moment Rachel realises she's too tall for the market! XD!	Lawas, Sarawak Lawas Market! (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Lawas, Sarawak We decided to travel by Uber... we mean, by our RM1 boat ride from the kampung to the Lawas town! It was fun! (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak That's Rachel, Faye, Anderson Kalang and Tepuq in our RM1 boat ride to Lawas City.	Lawas, Sarawak Smile! There's no crocodile! XD!
Lawas, Sarawak Here's how the Lunbawang feast together! You will have a long table! Faye's super happy with her effort of wrapping the softened rice! Hehehe... (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Lawas, Sarawak #familyportrait	Lawas, Sarawak Celebrating the engagement between a Kelabit and Lunbawang community! It felt like a wedding to be honest!
Lawas, Sarawak As our journey ends in Lawas, we went to a kopitiam that had many Muslims working. It's very rare to see a Muslim person serving us pork as it would be a culture shock since we live in Kuala Lumpur. We respect the Sabah and Sarawak community because they are about respecting everyone. Meat doesn't stop their friendship or respect for one another.	Batu Niah, Sarawak Here's us meeting the modern Penan family! (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Batu Niah, Sarawak Thanks to teacher Victor for introducing us! (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Batu Niah, Sarawak The younger ones showing us the Penan traditional dances.	Batu Niah, Sarawak Here's a kuih that was prepared by the Penan family. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Batu Niah, Sarawak Preparing Sago. Besides rice, Sago is the Penan's staple food. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Batu Niah, Sarawak Here's Faye paying paying close attention on how the Penan's eat Sago. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Batu Niah, Sarawak Anderson Kalang and Victor giving it a go too! (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Batu Niah, Sarawak This was unusual for us as we thought it was chopsticks, but it isn't! (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Batu Niah, Sarawak Our first meeting with the Tuai Rumah (Head of the longhouse) (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Batu Niah, Sarawak While Faye was happily learning about the 'tuak' and 'langkau' drink made by the Ibans, Rachel's looks pretty fancy with her Iban attire!	Batu Niah, Sarawak Interviewing the Iban family
Batu Niah, Sarawak Thankful and grateful for allowing us to learn. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Batu Niah, Sarawak We visited the schools to show what 'The Rojak Projek' is all about	Batu Niah, Sarawak We not only visited this adorable high-school, we learned to dance liling together ;)
Batu Niah, Sarawak We broke the ice by asking our teachers to show us to perform traditional dances while Anderson plays the Sape.	Batu Niah, Sarawak Jambatan Gantung (Hanging Bridge) (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Batu Niah, Sarawak Mangkung Tiang" (Hitting The Pillars) & "Miring" (Asking for all gods Blessing) ritual..
Batu Niah, Sarawak Oooooo-Ha!!! Drinking and celebrating with our Iban friends ;)	Batu Niah, Sarawak Mangkung Tiang is a ritual when the Iban community conduct some prayers to as for peace and blessings from the gods.	Miri, Sarawak Our fulfilling experience learning about our Orang Ulu food at Gerai Nuba Laya, Miri, Sarawak. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)
Miri, Sarawak Here's Rachel and Faye with Uncle Ranson, a Kelabit sharing with us about the Orang Ulu food. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Miri, Sarawak Left to right: Kuih Urum, Kuih Kelupis, Kuih Urum	Miri, Sarawak Orang Ulu food
Miri, Sarawak We manage to find some more Penan people to share with us their stories. (Credit: Anderson Kalang)	Miri, Sarawak The best feeling in the world is to witness culture practice at home and not done commercially.	Miri, Sarawak The famous Lutong Mosque-Church.
Bario, Sarawak	Bario, Sarawak While in Bario, we lived with Uncle Robert Chee's beautiful cottage! Thank you, Uncle Robert!	Terengganu Our Terengganu tour guide ;)
Terengganu Apparently we came at the right time to witness how the Uncle traditionally bend wood with fire. We were at the right time and season and it was told that not many would witness it.	Terengganu Apparently we came at the right time to witness how the Uncle traditionally bend wood with fire. We were at the right time and season and it was told that not many would witness it.	Terengganu Who needs a Mercedez when you can ride in a boat! ;)
Terengganu A place anyone should come and visit - Duyong Art Gallery	Terengganu Here at Duyong Art Gallery, someone will share with you how there is so much definition and symbolism and history behind the structure of this house.	Terengganu The Old Town of Duyong, is said to have been like a small Malay royal palace in ancient times. Located on the island of Duyong, Kuala Terengganu. Another home restored by the Terengganu Museum.
Terengganu The Old Town of Duyong, is said to have been like a small Malay royal palace in ancient times. Located on the island of Duyong, Kuala Terengganu. Another home restored by the Terengganu Museum.	Terengganu The Old Town of Duyong, is said to have been like a small Malay royal palace in ancient times. Located on the island of Duyong, Kuala Terengganu. Another home restored by the Terengganu Museum.	Terengganu The Old Town of Duyong, is said to have been like a small Malay royal palace in ancient times. Located on the island of Duyong, Kuala Terengganu. Another home restored by the Terengganu Museum.
Terengganu Pulut Nyior is a MUST TRY in Terengganu! Trust us!	Terengganu	Terengganu Pulau Duyong
Terengganu Pulau Duyong	Terengganu https://www.facebook.com/sagawarisan/	Terengganu The moment we found out there is a Nyonya community in Terengganu! Who knew?
Penang Our passionate Penangnite who took Faye around the showcase every element of Rojak (which is the entire Penang itself!)	Penang Met Thulaashi, the miracle Tsunami baby.	Penang The Rojak Man!!! Best food ever!!!
Johor Jacq Hanna, Arnold and I in front of the famous SMK Infant Jesus Convent in Johor Bahru.	Johor Met up with Esther who helped us to find more food for us to eat, create our artworks and eat again! (Ohmehgerd)	Johor Met up with Esther who helped us to find more food for us to eat, create our artworks and eat again! (Ohmehgerd)
Sabah KDCA's beauty pageant is super pack man!	KK, Sabah Learning more about Sabah's food in D'place, KK, Sabah	Inanam, Sabah We rolling with Ruby Subramaniam to our adventure to Kundasang and Ranau.
Sabah Our first time witnessing a Rafflesia flower!	Kundasang, Sabah New Zealand... we mean! It's Kundasang	Ranau, Sabah Our first experience of 'Nasi Linopot' that is famous in Ranau!
Ranau, Sabah Our first experience of 'Nasi Linopot' that is famous in Ranau!	Ranau, Sabah Our first experience of 'Nasi Linopot' that is famous in Ranau!	18768639_10211240674185444_7020065197324
Kedah Our tiring one day trip ended up with a free meal!	Ipoh Ipoh flee market with Matt La Brooy	Ipoh Keilly Castle, Perak with Matt La Brooy
Kuala Lumpur Us behind the scene	Kuala Lumpur Us behind the scene	Kuala Lumpur Us behind the scene
Kuala Lumpur Us behind the scene	Kuala Lumpur Us behind the scene	Kuala Lumpur Us behind the scene
Kuala Lumpur Us behind the scene	39257594_10156184265902529_2720489464186	39066560_10156177934827529_1819934194873
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documentary Testimonies:

"A powerful and inspiring documentary, that encourages and makes me want to rediscover Malaysia and along the way, each other. Thank you for this, sharing and showing us your journey, allowing us to have a glimpse of what your senses had experienced the past year. Looking forward to more of what the The Rojak Projek will embark on to unite us all as one."

- Carmen Koo, Malaysia

550 ARTWORKS

MADE in MALAYSIA

This is not about food art. This is conceptual work, portraying the story of a few young Malaysians who went on a journey around Malaysia to rediscover our diverse people and culture. A journey that aims to transform the idea of being colour-blind to colour-embracing (from 'Malay', Chinese' 'Indian' and 'lain-lain' to Malaysian), in a time where the call for unity has never been more profound. In their travels they found that we are all 'Rojak' (mixed) that speaks about the beauty and diversity of our country and identity. They realized that after almost 60 years since Malaysia was formed, Malaysians are still ignorant about the many other people and cultures in their own land.

PS: All food were eaten, packed, documented, delivered to bless others and causing us to gain terrible weight for the entire year!!! With the works we've done so far, we've only managed to cover a portion of Malaysia in it's entirety! That means that there is so much more to discover! Now, you can play a part in helping us uncover the hidden gems that Malaysia has to offer! Find out how.