23rd January, 2018

---

The first initiative started with a single member of our community signing up to blog in the Steemit platform. He is none other than my old friend @sireh. Then the next batch was us @aurah, @orenisme, @petai, @cartoonistpandan, @afique and @chendol. We are extremely close friends and former colleagues. The idea of earning in cryotocurrency was the selling point. We were all sold. Then it escalated to the academia, where students in the Multimedia University got themselves involved in a much larger scale. Today, the participation is almost nationwide from us in the cartoon/comic industry.

I could not be more proud to be part of #steem-cartoon and #teammalaysia. The entire experience was very pleasant from they day that I joined this platform. Not only I am paid, but the people that I have met here are likely to be my friends for many years to come.

---

The Animation Sector

---

My company is one of the leaders in the animation industry. Our animation series is screened locally and command a good following among the school going children. I was interviewed by the local television channel as a guest and to give my insight about the cartoon industry in Malaysia and the challenges that we now face in this digital world.

(Standing behind me is my fellow comrade @chendol)

During the interview session, I expressed my views that the landscape for creative content providers such as myself and others within the industry has changed drastically. Our known methods of selling our work is no longer feasible. But the audience and fans are growing rapidly. Cartoon, comic and animation is not a dying industry. It is wrong for someone to perceive that cartoonist and comic artist can no longer earn a living. What has changed is the medium of delivery and the medium to earn an income. That is why we must adopt an open mind to new technology and new platforms such as the Steem Blockchain as a new medium.

---

The Steem-Cartoon Initiative

---

The afternoon session was all about clarifying the doubts to members of our community. The common questions that they ask were the questions that I used to ask. I can fully appreciate their concern. These concerns were gladly answered by @bitrocker2020, @perennial (from a legal perspective) and @sireh (as a member of our art community).

Some 200 over participants took part in the open workshop whereby some pressing questions were asked and answered. @perennial was candid in his presentation, he openly declared that it was the lure of money that brought him to this platform. I got to admit that whilst money may not play a main role, but it one of the major factors that I have considered before jumping into the bandwagon.

@sireh was a show-off, he took his skills and wowed the audiences with his caricature of a distinguished member of the audience and he was chosen by @sireh himself.

The whole event was a good mix of songs, jokes and information about steemit. To me the most convincing part of the entire delivery was the demonstration through the accounts of @sireh and @zhusatriani for the live art demonstration and the latter for the music performance. Audiences were shown how contents are created, uploaded and upvoted.

In my humble opinion the message that was delivered in a very charismatic manner by @sireh is that the world has evolved and so must we in order not to face 'extinction' and community engagement is one of the most fundamental concept in the steemit world before one can succeed.

I give two thumbs up for the great effort by @sireh and @perennial in organising this event. To @bitrocker2020 and #teammalaysia for always being supportive in our programmes. I am definitely here to stay.

One for the Album

---

The entire session ended at 5.30 p.m. and it is rush hour in Kuala Lumpur. When the above picture was taken, more than half has left the hall to avoid the traffic jam.

credit to @zomagic