Nominations for 16th National Literary Award now open, says DBP director-general

KUALA LUMPUR: The 16th National Literary Award, aimed at honouring outstanding literary figures at the national level, is open nominations from yesterday until April 1.

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) director-general Dr Hazami Jahari said DBP is extending invitations to eligible and registered institutions or organisations, along with esteemed individuals in the literature field, to nominate candidates for this award.

“This award aims to bestow the highest national recognition upon a Malaysian literary figure who is currently alive and writes in the Malay language.

“The individual, as determined by research and panel assessment, has significantly and consistently enriched national literature through their high-quality creative works,” he told reporters at a media briefing yesterday.

He said the award recipient would be honoured on a national scale, with a cash prize of RM60,000, a certificate, the publication of 50,000 governmentpurchased copies of their book and access to free medical facilities in first-class wards at government hospitals.

Hazami also announced that DBP is now accepting nominations from Malaysian citizens for the Southeast Asian Writers Award (SEA Write Award) (Malaysia) 2023, with the deadline for participation set on March 25.

He said the award, initiated by the Thai government in 1979, aims to recognise literary figures from Asean countries.

“The recipient of this award will receive a cash prize and recognition plaques from the organisers,” he said.

Hazami also announced nominations for the Hadiah Sastera Perdana Malaysia 2021/2022, Hadiah Tunas Cipta 2021/2022 and Hadiah Karya Ilmiah 2021/202 at the media briefing.

The deadline for participation in all three awards is April 1.

Nomination forms, along with additional information regarding participation criteria, are available on DBP’s social media platforms.