DBP to strengthen development of literature

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KOTA KINABALU: The language and literature bureau (DBP) next  year will implement its five-year target to strengthen the development of literature, said  DBP director general Datuk Termuzi Abdul Aziz here yesterday.

“The literature expansion programme will focus on strengthening national literature by promotion and recognition,” said Termuzi.

He added that efforts undertaken by DBP was not only to offer appreciation and recognition at national level but also at regional and international levels.

“DBP annually nominates Malaysia’s literary figures  for  the Thailand government’s South East Asian Write Awards for Asean literary figure,” he said, adding that Malaysia together with Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia implemented the Malay literary networking called Majlis Sastera Asia Tenggara (Mastera, South East Asia Literary Council) to give recognition to literary figures and literature.

Termuzi, at the Sabah literary prize presentation ceremony 2008/2009, hoped authors would consistently produce literature that could contribute to the achievement of Vision 2020 and 1 Malaysia.

Also present at the ceremony were Sabah Cultural Board chairman Datuk Wences Angang, Sabah Education director Dr Muhidin Yusin and director of DBP Sabah branch Zubaidi Abas.

Sabah literary prize presentation had been held biennial since 1990 to appreciate and recognize the roles and contributions of  Sabah authors in the community mental development.

The literary prizes for assessment year 2008/2009 took into account the works of Sabah authors published in various media throughout 2008 and 2009.

The prizes were divided into essays/criticism, poetry, drama, short stories and novels.

For essay/criticism, assessors received and reviewed 63 papers and this genre was won by Raymond Majumah with his essay, ‘Integrasi Sosial dalam Karya Kreatif di Sabah’ (Social integration in creative writing at Sabah).

The winner received a certificate and RM1,000 cash prize.

There were 1,267 entries in the poetry category and the winners were, ‘Kupu-kupu Laut’ (Sea butterfly) by Pena Alam/Rita Robert Rawantas, ‘Sulur Merdeka’ (Independent stem) by Mohammes Zain A H /Mohd Zain Assoh, ‘Sebuah Gambar’ (A picture) by Mabulmaddin Shaiddin, ‘Padamu Tanah Terbilang, Inilah Sajak Penghormatan’ (To you the famous land, this is the tribute poem) by Hasnah Anjam and ‘Resah Puisi’ (Anxious Poetry) by Ammi Manja/Abdul Manaf Kamaruddin.

Each winner received a certificate and RM750 cash prize.

A Karim Gullam and Nurul Syafiqah Abdullah with their drama, ‘Tumpalak Rundum’ won the prize for the stage drama.

They received a certificate and RM1,000 cash prize.

Among the 298 short stories reviewed, ‘Mutiara’ (Pearl) by Pena Alam/Rita Robert Rawantas, ‘Kemboja di Pusara’ (Plumeria at the tomb) by Juri Durabi, ‘Sebuah Cerita pada Aidilfitri’ (A story on Aidilfitri) by Ailin Nov/Aliuddin Mohd Salleh, ‘Kerana Hormon’ (Because of Hormone) by Ruhaini Matdarin and ‘Ain’ by Sitti Rahman G Ibrahim were the five short stories that won prizes.

Each winner received a certificate and RM 1,000 cash prize.

Ismail Haji Salleh with his ‘Iradat’ defeated another nine novels and won himself a certificate and RM2,000 cash prize.