There’s no place like Mawi’s own home sweet home
Asmawi Ani (aka Mawi)
PERFORMING at the KIP mart in Tampoi recently brought back a flood of memories of the days when I was working there as an artist.
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| ROBUST GROWTH: Felda Taib Andak has developed both physically and socially over the years. |
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| PIONEER: Felda Taib Andak is the first settlement in Johor. |
If I had not taken part in the Akademi Fantasia reality talent show, I would probably still be an artist now earning a pittance. I love jobs where I can explore my creativity but the salary was too low.
When I was working in Tampoi, I would start my day pumping RM4 of petrol into my Honda EX5 motorcycle and head to work from Felda Taib Andak, my birthplace.
Felda Taib Andak is a settlement in the Kulaijaya district and is the first Felda settlement in Johor.
Unfortunately, many people there know me as Mawi the artiste but not Mawi the artist.
My childhood friends all know that I have a knack for drawing. It was God’s gift to me.
Felda Taib Andak has undergone a lot of changes over the years, not only in the physical development but also in the social aspects.
It was then home to 622 pioneer settlers and the second and third generations of Felda residents. Now, the population of Felda Taib Andak is about 6,000.The pioneer settlers used to contribute money to buy petrol to run the electricity generators. Oil palm cultivation remains the main source of income for most of the settlers but some have branched out and now own bakeries, sundry shops and handphone shops.
There is a now a poultry farm which uses the enclosed system that is run by 40 settlers, and a cattle-rearing project run by another 40 settlers which currently has 1,000 head of cattle.
Some 500 children of the settlers have graduated from various universities over the years.
Although I now spend most of my time in Kuala Lumpur, where I am filming a movie, my heart will always remain in Felda Taib Andak. I miss my family and friends and that’s why I try to go home at least once a month.During my leisure time, I will head to Kuala Sungai Buloh, a small fishing town in Selangor, because the place reminds me of my childhood, when I would go fishing with my buddies.
I loved to play sepak takraw and fish when I was young and I still do so whenever I find the time.
I have been appointed product ambassador by Unilever (Malaysia) Holdings Sdn Bhd for Wall’s latest offering, the Wall’s Fantasia, hence my presence at KIP mart. This is my 13th endorsement deal after Canon’s MVX 1Si digital camera and M. Mobile, a made-in-Malaysia mobile phone, among others.
I thank Allah for his blessings. My fame has allowed me to bring a part of Felda Taib Andak with me wherever I go. More people are now aware of the existence of this delightful settlement.
Born Asmawi Ani on Aug 25, 1981, Mawi shot to fame after winning the third season of ‘Akademi Fantasia’
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