I’m no freak, says ‘outsider artist’ Rahmat Haron

MALAYSIANSKINI Try typing writer and artist Rahmat Haron’s name into a Google search bar, and you will notice that ‘Rahmat Haron tattoos’ is one of the suggested entries, denoting that it is a popular search term for those that googled his name.

Though one must admit, that at first glance, with his floor-length dreadlocks and numerous tattoos, some may be intimidated by his undoubtedly distinctive appearance.

And unfortunately for most people, his highly visible tattoos become the sum of his person.

But looks can indeed be deceiving. and the Malaysiakini columnist is one clear-cut example why we should never judge a book by its cover.

For example, one of the tattoos on his arm reads “jangan bunuh bahasa ibunda” (don’t murder the mother tongue), in support of the anti-Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) movement.

However if you were to speak to him, you will find that he is quite articulate in the English language himself.

When met at his home in Ampang, Rahmat apologised profusely for the “messy” conditions of his home. This, despite his living area being like any other living room, and some who may see him as being artfully “messy”.

Rahmat even asked whether the interview would be a conflict of interest due to his position a columnist for Malaysiakini’s Malay section.

Throughout the three-hour long interview, Rahmat often break into toothy smiles while speaking on various issues, as he sporadically puff on his rolled cigarette.

Describing his tattoos, Rahmat is definitely not in the dark about how some people perceive him.

“This is the first thing that they Google about me, they are not interested in my art (but) they are interested in my appearance.

“They don’t talk about my ideas, my views published on Malaysiakini. They just say ‘he has tattoos’.

“Which is strange - it shouldn’t be that you view people just by their appearance,” he said.

Rahmat, who has more than 10 tattoos, admits it is considered “blasphemous” to have them, at least according to polite society.

But the 39-year-old believes he is merely celebrating the Malaysian culture by having tattoos, citing Chinese traditions as well as that of East Malaysia.

“It’s just that I don’t come from those cultures. But that’s how cultures are made - it’s something fluid,” he said.

For the artist, having tattoos is not about morals and Malaysians should instead talk about the various problems plaguing the country.

“Maybe according to your dogma and morals, it’s bad and it’s sinful to have tattoos.

“But using your own logic and argument, it is also sinful also to be involved in corruption, to destroy the ecosystem.”