Cartoonist Ujang seeks peace after 24 years of bankruptcy
The 59-year-old father of four officially received his discharge under Section 33A of the Insolvency Act 1967 on July 29 last year.
HULU TERENGGANU – The year 2025 brings a new beginning for renowned cartoonist Ibrahim Anon, better known as Ujang, as he celebrates being free from bankruptcy after 24 long years.
The 59-year-old father of four officially received his discharge under Section 33A of the Insolvency Act 1967 on July 29 last year.
Speaking to Sinar at Tasik Kenyir recently, Ibrahim shared that he now enjoyed a more peaceful life, dedicating his time to running a houseboat business at the popular tourist destination.
"After being declared bankrupt in 2000, I returned to my hometown in Juasseh, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, to start over. I took on various jobs—anything that could provide an income to support my family and young children.
"Eventually, I moved to Tasik Kenyir and ventured into ecotourism. I had prior experience with houseboats, having owned one here before it was sold.
"With that knowledge, I began working outside my usual field by renting boats for fishing trips. This effort eventually led to the launch of the International Monsoon Casting Tournament (IMCT), which is now an annual event at Tasik Kenyir," he said.
Ibrahim further explained that during his years of financial struggle, he shifted his focus to creating online content, which he published through social media.
"I created works through social media platforms and received job opportunities from friends, which helped sustain my family's finances and allowed us to persevere until today," he shared.
Ibrahim first gained fame in the 1990s with his iconic creations, including Aku Budak Minang in Gila-Gila magazine, Din Beramboi in Ujang magazine and the animated series Usop Sontorian.
Despite facing setbacks, he remained committed to his craft.
"In 2000, I went bankrupt due to intellectual property issues. It began when all my works, including names and cartoon characters, were registered.
"Once registered, I couldn’t create new works anymore because every time something was printed—whether greeting cards, posters, or anything else—I would get sued.
"I couldn't even use the name 'Ujang,' including my signature as 'Ujang.' At that time, I faced 19 lawsuits and owed RM1.8 million to a printing company," said Ibrahim, who now resides in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.
Reflecting on his journey, Ibrahim said he has learned valuable lessons and is determined to build a better future after overcoming the hardships of bankruptcy.
"In 1993, I created Malaysia’s first animated series, Usop Sontorian. Back then, none of my works were registered under the Copyright Act 1987. I was naive and unaware of how to protect my intellectual property and there wasn’t much awareness about it at the time.
"When my case went to court, I struggled to find a lawyer experienced in intellectual property issues. It took me five years of court battles, and by 2000, I was declared bankrupt.
"Now, after 24 years, I am deeply grateful to Allah SWT for allowing me to move past this chapter and live a debt-free life," he shared.
Ibrahim hopes his experience will serve as a lesson to others.
"My journey is a reminder to everyone that comfort and success are not guaranteed. Life can take a turn at any moment.
"We must always prepare ourselves in every way possible and trust in Allah SWT for the rest," he advised.
