ICT should be used to expand literature globally — Mahdzir

KUALA LUMPUR: The use of information and communications technology ( ICT) must be fully exploited so that literary works can be better disseminated globally, said Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

He said literature could be spread in various forms to the public, including through the electronic media which is faster.

“At present, we are presented with various types of fantasy love stories which are far from the real life.

“The people especially the younger generation must be given good values which are incorporated in life and literature works are the best agents of transformation,” he said.

He said this in his speech for the International Seminar on SouthEast Asian Literature ( SAKAT) 2016, the literary awards for the 8th Southeast Asian Literature Council ( MASTERA) and the Opening Ceremony of the 22nd Conference of MASTERA at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here Tuesday night.

The text of his speech was read out by Education Ministry secretary- general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad.

In this regard, Mahdzir proposed that MASTERA which comprises Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand should step up translating the best works recognised by MASTERA to be disseminated and made into international literature.

He said as an example, MASTERA which has a role as a council to coordinate and conduct integrated regional literature research, could also carry out Malay literature translation competitions to encourage translation activities.

“In line with the desire to internationalise writers and works of the archipelago especially from MASTERA members, we cannot ignore the importance of translation. Without translation, the beauty and impact of Malay literature would not be appreciated and benefited widely by the people,” he said.

Mahdzir also proposed that MASTERA expand its activities to the member countries of the Bahasa Melayu International Council which comprises 19 countries from various continents. — Bernama