24-05-2025
Local photographer celebrates birthday by showcasing Malaysia to the world
For Heng Mok Zung, better known as Zung Ninja Photographer, turning 47 was about doing something different; he wanted to show his friends from all over the world his hometown and where he grew up.
So Heng invited over 20 friends from 12 countries – Switzerland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Egypt, Tanzania, Mongolia, China, South Korea, Australia, Dominican Republic, USA and Canada. All of them self-sponsored their trips, drawn by Heng's vision of exploring a side of Malaysia often overlooked by tourists.
The itinerary included the usual must-sees, like a welcome dinner with breathtaking views of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, a vibrant city tour of Kuala Lumpur, a cultural journey to Batu Caves, and a cultural performance followed by a nostalgic, pedal-powered trishaw ride through the historic streets of Melaka. But beyond these postcard-perfect scenes, Heng's real mission was to introduce his friends to Malaysia's lesser-known treasures.
Heng's friends at his hometown Sekinchan. Photo: The Photoz
Their journey soon took them off the beaten path to Sekinchan, the small fishing and farming village where Heng grew up. Here, luxury was traded for authenticity, as guests lodged in what he refers to as 'simple, no-star accommodations' that showcase the raw beauty and warmth of rural Malaysia.
They ate fresh, succulent crabs at his family's seafood restaurant, and learnt the art of cracking shells by hand. They sipped refreshing coconut juice at a stall – a quintessentially Malaysian experience – and visited the local vegetable market, where the colours, sounds and smells of rural Malaysia came to life.
Later, he brought them to the outskirts where they watched the sun dip below golden paddy fields in a serene sunset picnic – a moment that, for many, encapsulated the natural beauty of the country. Nurturing the next generation
As a gesture of welcome, the students at SMJK Yoke Kuan handed out flowers to Heng's friends. Photo: The Photoz
Heng also made sure his guests felt the heartbeat of his hometown by bringing them to visit his alma mater, SMJK Yoke Kuan.
Here, the students greeted them with a spirited lion dance and band performance, and even handed out flowers as a gesture of welcome.
Heng and his friends contributed several drum sets to the school, sparking joy and appreciation in the young performers. He says it's important to cultivate the next generation and often gives talks to children in schools.
'It's vital to encourage children to dream big. Instead of having an 'I can't' mentality, why not say 'I can'?' he says. 'If you never try, you'll never know how far you can go.'
These are not just words but a lived reality for the internationally-known photographer who came from humble beginnings.
'I was born and raised in this small fishing village of Sekinchan and come from a poor family. My father was a fisherman, and I'm the youngest of seven siblings; one who passed away because of cancer,' he reveals.
Unable to complete his education (he was studying engineering) due to his family's financial restrictions, Heng started working as a photographer to earn an income.
A couple sign the drum they sponsored for SMJK Yoke Kuan. Photo: The Photoz
'The turning point in my life came because instead of feeling sorry for myself and blaming anyone, I just decided to pick myself up and do something about it,' he says.
'It's vital to teach children the importance of being resilient and having tenacity,' he adds.
Today, Heng travels to hundreds of locations each year for various engagements.
Not only has he been the personal photographer of American author and life coach Anthony Robbins since 2009, he has also photographed many personalities including three United States presidents (Donald Trump, George Bush and Bill Clinton), British businessman Richard Branson, the Dalai Lama, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and British zoologist Dr Jane Goodall.
Heng (centre) invited children from the Jing Sun Welfare Society for his birthday party. Photo: The Photoz
Back in Kuala Lumpur, the celebrations continued with a birthday party that he ensured was inclusive.
Heng invited children from the Jing Sun Welfare Society, each receiving ang pows and a hearty meal. One of the talented children even performed the mesmerising Sichuan face-changing dance.
True to his artistic spirit, Zung's birthday party also served as a stage for Malaysia's non-mainstream talents. Guests were treated to the soulful sounds of Evan Lee, a Sape player from Sarawak, and the nostalgic golden classics of Yudi Yap, a singer known for her Shanghai-style performances.
Reflecting on his birthday, Zung says, 'Our country has so much talent, and I wanted my birthday to be a platform to showcase the off-the-beaten-track talents that it has.'
For this photographer who has travelled extensively across the globe, there is nothing quite like Malaysia.
'While every country has its own uniqueness, when you're away so much, you always look forward to coming back home,' he concludes.
