‘Mandalorians in Malaysia’ show that local travel is the way

Members of ‘Mandalorians in Malaysia’ at the Kelantan Match Factory in Kota Bharu, Kelantan that they visited in August 2024. (Mandalorians in Malaysia pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Star Wars universe is filled with exotic locations, from the twin-sunned deserts of Tatooine to the icy wilderness of Hoth.

But now, new worlds are being explored by a group of Star Wars characters: not in a galaxy far, far away, but right here in Malaysia.

This is not the plot of a new Star Wars film. It’s the real-life mission of “Mandalorians in Malaysia”, a passionate group of people who travel across the country, capturing striking photos of scenic locations while dressed in Mandalorian armour.

For those unaccustomed to Star Wars lore, Mandalorians are members of a warrior culture from the planet Mandalore. They are known for their distinct armour and helmets, with their most famous members being bounty hunters Boba Fett and Din Djarin, protagonist of the TV series The Mandalorian.

Producer and entrepreneur Calvin Shoon has admired everything Mandalorian since watching the infamous Boba Fett on screen at the age of six. Like many, he was trapped at home during the pandemic, and turned to social media for an escape.

Guests with ‘Mandalorians in Malaysia’ members, including founder Calvin Shoon (second from right). (Mandalorians in Malaysia pic)

Picturing all the places he would visit once restrictions were lifted, Shoon imagined having photoshoots there in his Mandalorian armour.

“It dawned on me: why don’t I try combining my costume ideas along with my love for this beautiful country? Why don’t I try telling Malaysia’s story, through the eye of a wandering Mandalorian?” Shoon told FMT Lifestyle.

Shoon started planning, and soon, “Mandalorians in Malaysia” was formed. The group, which currently comprises seven main members (with three others occasionally tagging along) have visited far out places such as Terengganu’s Pantai Batu Keluang, Kuala Selangor’s Sky Mirror, Johor’s Pulau Mawar Sea Arch and Kelantan’s Xia Cave.

“Generally, people are often impressed, curious, and sometimes even shocked to see us in costume. Very surprisingly, a lot of people are quite aware of our characters being from Star Wars – possibly the undeniable association with the long-time fan favourite Boba Fett,” Shoon said.

Group members got to ride horseback in Jeram, Selangor, thanks to stablehands from Algontory Stable. (Mandalorians in Malaysia pic)

One of their most memorable moments, Shoon shared, was in Kota Bahru, while visiting the last match factory in Malaysia. There, they met a worker named Muharez, a fellow Star Wars fan.

“He showed us his Mandalorian helmet, which he made himself, hung right on the wall of his workspace, possibly as a trophy,” Shoon recalled.

“We like to think that we had a big impact on this person and his colleagues, making another ordinary day at work a little bit extraordinary.”

Going around in these elaborate costumes is no joke, but the brave local Mandalorians have learnt to take everything in stride.

“We have to deal with the scorching rays of the sun, the suffocating humidity of wet Malaysian weather, and unforgiving downpours!! I think most of our team has become accustomed to this way of living by now. Whether for good or bad, I’m not so sure!” Shoon quipped.

The group’s costumes are tailor-made by Saleha and her daughter Nu Bella from Saleha Mat Couture, and created and maintained by chemical/material engineer Faizzuddin Fawzi. Another member, Connor, handles the costume’s field maintenance.

‘Mandalorians in Malaysia’ members at Pantai Bukit Keluang in Besut, Terengganu. (Mandalorians in Malaysia pic)

“As for lead time, on average it takes about two to three months to finish one costume. It is a complex process requiring much communication and synergy between multiple sources,” Shoon said.

The group dreams of visiting East Malaysia, as well as working with Tourism Malaysia. To someday be acknowledged by Star Wars creators Disney and Lucasfilm would be a dream, Shoon said.

Until then, they hope to keep discovering new and exciting Malaysian destinations. Shoon said he hopes their work makes a meaningful impact on the locales they cover, especially their communities.

“Even if we were to travel to a new location every day, I am very confident it will take decades to even get close to visiting them all! We’re doing things nobody has done before, and hopefully, others may follow in our footsteps, figuratively and literally! After all, “Ini Arahnya”,” Shoon concluded, reciting the Mandalorian oath in Malay.