Raghad (centre) presenting the Tokoh Penulis Sarawak award to Adi, while from right, Jamilah, Hamidah and National Book Development Foundation (YPBN) chairman Hasan Hamzah look on. — Photo by Muhd Rais Sanusi
Jamilah launching the Sarawak Books Expo while National Book Development Foundation (YPBN) chairman Hasan Hamzah applauds.
Raghad (second left) announcing the launch of World Book Day, accompanied by Hamidah on her right and Jamilah on her left.
KUCHING: The inaugural Sarawak Book Awards honoured seven deserving personalities in the Sarawak writing scene at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.
They are Dr Jeniri Amir (Tokoh Buku Sarawak), Datu Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah (Tokoh Penulis Sarawak), Roslan Jomel (Prolific Author), Zainal Abidin Suhaili (Best Poetry Book), Radzemah Bolhassan (Popular Novelist), Jong Chian Lai (Best Novel) and Hamsurie Waslie of The House of Bindery (Best Bookbinder).
The awards were presented by the Head of State’s wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib, who also launched the World Book Day at the ceremony.
Also at the same function, the 10 finalists for the Telenovela Awards were named by the deputy prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Utama Hamidah Khamis.
The awards, which will be presented in Kuala Lumpur as part of the National Book Awards 2016, are to acknowledge and reward writers of the books that were adapted into television series.
There were 25 selections, out of which 10 proceeded to the finals.
The finalists are Hasrudi Jawawi (Cucur Bawang & Kopi O), Aliesha Kirana (Love You Mr Arrogant), E-Man Sufi (Bukan Kerana Aku Tak Cinta), Ana Sofiya (Suami Sebelah Rumah), Hanina Abdullah (Projek Memikat Suami), Umie Nadzimah (Dia… Isteri Luar Biasa), Liyana Zahim (Rindu Awak 200%), Nur Ain Al Abbas (Hati Perempuan), Evelyn Rose (The Wedding Breaker) and Hana Ilhami (Ya Maulana).
The chief minister’s wife, Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, was also present to launch the Sarawak Book Expo and books from Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books.
After the event, the dignitaries were led on a tour of the Sarawak Book Expo.