Miniature car models with iconic local party paintings. to Alor Gajah.November 06, 2022 — Picture By Raymond Manuel
By Kenneth Tee
Saturday 12 November 2022 11:39 GMT
ALOR GAJAH, November 12 — Even if you’re not into politics (or toy cars), one look at these custom-built toy cars in the colors of Malaysian political parties and you have to admit they’re pretty cute.
Mohamad Ariffin Mohamad Sokher can put a bespoke Ford F-150 Raptor decked in the iconic blue of Barisan Nasional (BN) (or political party of your choice) in your palm.
Do you like non-traditional political parties in Malaysia? Don’t worry because Mohd Ariffin is ready to design any political party you want for the price of RM90 per piece.
Mohd Ariffin has custom built several other similar die-cast vehicles adorned with the iconic colors of various other political parties in Malaysia including DAP, PKR, PAS, Pejuang Tanahair Party, Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Party, Warisan Party and also a United Democratic Alliance of Malaysia ( Muda) limited edition!
Few local political party design wrappers prepared by Mohd Ariffin Sokher at his house in Alor Gajah, Melaka on November 6, 2022 — Photo by Raymond Manuel
“I’ve only done 20. It’s a free gift for anyone who bought a full set of eight cars,” Mohd Ariffin said, pointing to a limited-edition Muda blister card with a smiling Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman lying on it. the floor of his “workshop”.
For the 35-year-old prison guard from Alor Gajah, Melaka, building custom die-cast vehicles began as a hobby that stemmed from his interest in collecting toy cars produced by US-based Hot Wheels. United States and based in Japan. Tomica.
“When I started collecting and selling these cars in 2017, I felt the existing designs of the cars were uninspiring, so I started designing my own.”
It wasn’t easy for Mohd Ariffin when he started, as custom designing and building was mostly trial and error, with him researching tutorials online and even asking friends for advice.
“One of my first successful redesigns was a van jenazah,” he said malaysian mail in an interview at his home recently, using the Malay term for hearse.
Mohd Ariffin Sokher speaking Malay Mail during an interview session at Alor Gajah.November 06,2022— Photo by Raymond Manuel
Regarding his custom-built vehicles in conjunction with this year’s general election, Mohd Ariffin said he did not expect his custom-built vehicles to garner such an overwhelming response online since he n originally planned to make several pieces only in pre-order. .
“I actually plan to build 16 pieces. But now I have hundreds of orders from interested buyers who have placed their orders…I have to call on my friends to help me find the model of vehicle that I use. Really a surprise,” he said.
Mohd Ariffin also revealed that he previously ventured into similar endeavors in 2018, but the response was softer compared to this time around.
He also clarified that these were not official political party merchandise and were strictly personalized products.
So how does the redesign work? Mohd Ariffin explained that the meticulous process always begins with the design of the blister card, the decals that come with the vehicle and the overall design of the custom model using Adobe Photoshop.
After the design process was complete and a default model selected, Mohd Ariffin would separate the metal chassis from the lower plastic frame of the toy before scraping off the original paint using sandpaper.
Some of Mohd Ariffin Sokher’s car model collections at his home in Alor Gajah.November 06, 2022 — Photo by Raymond Manuel
Now, with an empty metal body slate, Mohd Ariffin would then spray paint them and let them dry for several hours before the custom-designed decals were glued to the frame.
Mohd Ariffin explained that the waterslide decals are made using his own printer’s white toner printing method.
If he were to make a single mistake in the assembly process, he would have no choice but to start from scratch, Mohd Ariffin explained when asked more.
All that remains is the final packaging where Mohd Ariffin’s wife, Muzainah Mohammad, occasionally helped.
Mohd Ariffin Sokher (left) with his family looking at some of the die-cast cars he redesigned at his home in Alor Gajah on November 6, 2022 — Photo by Raymond Manuel
Mohd Ariffin said that due to his full-time job, he can only complete one or two pieces at most on weekdays and up to 10 on weekends, depending on the design of the vehicle.
“The part that takes time is the assembly and waiting for the paint to dry,” he explained further, but noted that the sense of accomplishment was worth all the effort.
For those who are interested in Mohd Ariffin’s work and wish to make a purchase, you can visit his online store at Buy here.