Malaysian authors and the call for the Nobel

Malaysian authors were challenged by their Deputy Prime Minister to win Nobel Prize by writing what that can transcend their barriers and strive to the global market. Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi demanded Malaysian intellectual including novelists and authors to produce 'works that could capture the attention of international audiences.

Yes sir, but of course among the current barriers is a language issues because not only we need the money to translate our works, but also a good translators which are not cheap to get them. And until now, we still don't have a single translator who had be known as a good literary translator and professional one especially to the English.

So first thing first   - please put some money in the pot.

Read: Malaysia wants Nobel Prize winner by 2057

George Town Literary Festival

Bernice Chauly talked about the upcoming of George Town Literary Festival which will run starting tomorro until this Sunday in Malay Mail Online. They invite Man Asian Prize winner, Tan Twan Eng and Norwegian novelist Hanne Ørstavik, winner of the Dobloug Prize in 2002 and the Brage Prize (2004). Ørstavik, according to the report wrote 14 novels including Like Sant Som Jeg Er Virkelig (The Blue Room) which had been translated into 18 languages.

BH also published the George Town Literary Festival's story on Tuesday.

National literature as a major subject

Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak said that national literature should be included to Malaysian education systems as a major subject, not just a component in Malay Language. Currently Malaysian student must study literature as part as language learning. For that, Razak also asked for increasing in children literature based on cultures and local values.

His text was read by Education Ministeri, Mahdzir Khalid at Malaysian Premier Literary Prize (MPLP) ceremony in Seri Kembangan, last night.

The assertion which made by Prime Minister must be follow with a passionate effort by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP). And the selection of works must be doing with transparent and honest  - so that only a great and right reading materials will be used.

National Book Award 2015

There is also National Book Award 2015 which held at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur this morning in conjunction with Malaysian Book Expo. The organizer is National Book Development Foundation for both event.

Basically, National Book Award was given to Malaysian industry book from author to editor and publisher for their contributions. But their list of prizes is in a little messed-up because its range from individual to publishers and we never knew what the criteria had been used in the winners selection.

Read: Anugerah Buku Negara 2015 iktiraf 41 pemain industri

Kelantan Literary Award

We've been waiting for a very long time for this awards. And by we, its mean all Kelantan-born writers. This morning, Anugerah Sastera Negeri Kelantan (ASNK) or Kelantan Literary Award was given to its reciepents who appraised by a group of authoritative judges.

Fatimah Busu who is known as novelist, short story writers and academic, won Kelantan Literary Award's grand prize, while the poet, Wadi Leta AS was given a Hadiah Cekal Sastera Negeri Kelantan.

Below is the result of Kelantan's best books of 2013-2014:

Poetry: Tidakkah Kita Berada di Sana? (Have Not We're There?*) by Rosli K Matari
Short story: Naratif Jurnalis (The Narative of Journalist*) by Nassury Ibrahim
Novel: Jogho Yang Tewas (The Defeated Champion*) by Rohani Deraman
Essay/critique: Pemikiran Dharmawijaya  - Menterjemahkan Sosialisasi Masyarakat Desa dan Kota (The Thought of Dharmawijaya - Translating of Socialization Rural and Town Society*) Naapie Mat

Beside the book, ASNK also recognized a single work published in newspaper or magazine such short story and poetry.

Short story
1. Janji Juita by Abdul Hadi Yusoff -
2. Pemburu Malam Delionic by Adnie Bahiah
3. Charole by Eh Deng Eh Chik
4. Pada Suatu Nama by Nazmi Yaakub
5. Hujan Keruh di Jogja by SM Zakir

Poem
1. Kau Turun Seperti Biasa by Rudi Mahmood
2. Sajak Besi Kepada Kayu by Wadi Leta SA
3. Pinjamkan Aku, Rindu by Rahimidin Zahari
4. Tanah Bergaris Matahari by SM Zakir
5. Benih Tumbuh by Epan Pro Poul

Drama
1. Biring Si Kunani by Rahimidin Zahari
2. Pocong by Norhisham Mustaffa

Essay/critique
1. Haiku Melayu: Seiras Tidak Serupa by Darma Mohammad
2. Realisme Baru Zainal Rashid by SM Zakir

Hadiah Sastera Penulis Harapan
The winner: Rohani Deraman

Hadiah Penghargaan Penggerak Sastera
The winner: Abham TR

Malaysian Premier Literary Prize

Malaysian Premier Literary Prize ceremony will be held at The Palace of the Golden Horses hotel, Seri Kembangan, tonight. The prizes will be given by Malaysian Prime Minister.

The results - as we already knew when the announcement was made last week - show us the 2014 Malaysian literary best works for various genres as far as the judges are concerned. But how its go after this recognition, depends to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and their publishers to capitalize it.

The books are not to meant only to stay on bookshelves in the bookstores. Certainly not for the books which won such a pretsigous prize. For that we hope DBP and their counterpart will organize more event not just to promote the books, but also to critique and discuss it.

The winner of main category in Malaysian Premier Literary Prize (RM10,000)

Novel: Nenek (Grandmother*) by Razali Endun
Short story (compilation): Langit Tidak Berbintang di Ulu Slim (Sky Without Stars in Ulu Slim*) by Malim Ghozali Pk
Poetry (anthology): Jaulah ke Syurga (The Journey to Heaven*) by Muzaf Ahmad
Literary study: Oksidentalisme dalam Sastera Melayu Sebelum Merdeka hingga Era Mahathir Mohamad (Occidentalism in Malay Literature Before Merdeka Until Era of Mahathir Mohamad*) by Dr Mohamad Saleeh Rahamad
Biography: Biografi Ishak Shaari Pejuang Bumi Semua Manusia (The Biography of Ishak Shaari: Naturalist Fighter for Humankind*) by Dr Mohamed Salleh Lamry

The winner of children literature (RM5,000)

Novel: ... Rahsia Dhia! (Secret of Dhia*) by Zainun Mustapha
Poetry (anthology): Sakura (Sakura*) by Mahaya Mohd Yassin
Picture book: Di Mana Sebelah Lagi? (Where's the Other Half?*) by Razisatul Asyifah

The winner of youth literature (RM5,000)

Novel: Gerbang Raudhah (The Arch of Raudhah*) by Rohaidah Yon
Short story (compilation): Tetamu Istimewa (A Special Guest*) by Mohd Helmi Ahmad
Poetry (anthology): Mimpi Kotaku (The Dream of My City*) by Hilmi Rindu

If you were a new PM, what would you do?

If you were elected as a new Prime Minister, what would you do first? For Kevin Rudd who took over Australian Prime Minister office after 2007 election, he initiated the Prime Minister's Literary Awards - among other moves such as signing the Kyoto Protocol and delivering an apology to Australian Aboriginal for the act of Australian government who removed their children from them between 1905 to 1970.

Also read joint press statement by the current Prime Minister, Malcom Turnbull with Minister of the Arts, Mitch Fifield recognised the awards as an exceptional literary achievement by Australian writers. And it is heartwarming to read such appeal that had been made by Australian leaders:

"I encourage all book‐loving Australians to celebrate the exceptional talent of Australia's literary sector by reading a book or two from the 2015 Prime Minister's Literary Awards shortlists."

The award's shortlists were announced yesterday and The Sydney Morning Herald had its full lists in Shortlists announced for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards. The awards have six catogeries: fiction, poetry, Australian history, non-fiction, young adult fiction and children's fiction. Almost same as Malaysian Premier Literary Prize except national historical writing.

The prize worth $80,000 (RM246,000) for the winner, while all the shortlisted authors will get $5,000 (RM15,000). Maybe it should be implement in our literary prize - which in current practice, the winner takes it all.