DBP, Putera have several exciting events in store

MIRI: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka ( DBP) and Northern Sarawak Writers Association ( Putera) will hold exciting events to promote writing and literacy programmes this year and next year.

DBP deputy chairman Datuk Abang Sallehuddin Abang Shokeran said efforts to intensify writing in Sarawak needed more emphasis, especially through Putera.

“Since Putera is the only association with members from multiracial backgrounds, I am excited to be a prt of it in carrying out some activities with provisions.

“I do not want these multi-racial writers to be marginalised.

It is a pity that their ethnic works are not discussed in the mainstream,” he said during a meeting with Putera members here recently.

The meeting, also attended by Putera chief (1) and chief ( 2), Zainal Abidin Suhaili or Abizai and Poul Nanggang respectively, and writer Jaya Ramba as the secretary (1), was aimed at discussing some language and literary programmes to ensure writing and literary programme in northern Sarawak are not lethargic.

Sallehuddin added that officials from DBP Kuala Lumpur would also invite a number of distinguished scholars to discuss the work of Putera and ethnic writers here.

“DBP will also send several magazine editors to participate in the briefing and share their experiences and guide the writers as well,” he said.

Abizai acknowledged that there were less language and literary programmes involving Putera this year due to several unseen circumstances.

Abizai, who was grateful with Sallehuddin’s visit, said Putera had decided to hold a discourse on Wacana Karya and Poetry Unity Night on Nov 24, followed by a poetry, short story and novel writing workshop next year.

“We want more young writers to join the association.

We will choose several schools to get their students to join the workshop.” Poul, meanwhile, said all writers should uphold the Malay language, understand their roles and always strive to advance in the literary field.

“For me, there is no ‘Golden Boy’ category.

All authors are similar, producing works in different ways,” he said.

On the meeting with Putera members , also discussed were the holding of Bicara Karya in November, followed by a Manuscript Writing, Production Workshop and Multicultural Writers Symposium next year.

“We will invite writers like Jong Chian Lai, Tega Bilong, Lawren Atot, Douglas Jaga, Desmond Manja, David Belulok and many Sarawak writers from various races to the programme,” Poul said.

Meanwhile, chairman of National Writers Association (Gapena) will launch the Putera Writers book on Sept 29.