IN the serene town of Samarahan, Sarawak, where the rustling of leaves and the slow pace of rural life define the daily rhythm, a haunting tale has emerged from the creative depths of a young medic named Muhammad Ismim Putera Nawawi, known by his pen name Ismim Putera.
Seated opposite me in a bustling Bangsar cafe, cap perched jauntily on his head, the bespectacled Dr Ismim, who'd rushed here straight after work for our last-minute appointment, beams before confiding sheepishly: "You know this is the first time I've come to this part of the world. It's so busy and different from where I come from!"
The 33-year-old Sarawakian has ventured beyond the realm of medical textbooks and stethoscopes to step into the world of storytelling with his debut novel, Nipah Nightmares.
JOURNEY INTO THE PAST
The Covid-19 pandemic, still fresh in our collective memory, has cast a long shadow over any mention of outbreaks. Yet, Dr Ismim, in his latest book, is inviting readers to turn their gaze back to a different time — the Nipah virus outbreak of September 1998 to May 1999, which had its roots in Malaysia but whose narrative has been largely obscured by the sands of time.
In Nipah Nightmares, the affable author resurrects this forgotten chapter, breathing life into the story of Seng Boo, a 16-year-old son of a farming family in Negeri Sembilan.
Set against the backdrop of rural life, Seng Boo's world takes a harrowing turn when the local farming community is struck by an unknown disease. Dr Ismim crafts a third-person narrative, drawing creative liberties with the fictional protagonist while grounding the setting in the harsh realities of a historical outbreak.
The debut novel, published by Gerakbudaya Enterprise, not only captures the essence of a real-life epidemic but also delves into the realms of horror, showcasing perfectly Dr Ismim's narrative prowess. Despite this outing being his first venture into the world of fiction, the genial Virgo's ability to build tension and dread certainly reflects that of more seasoned authors.
The genesis of Nipah Nightmares lies in Dr Ismim's learning of Malaysia's battle with the Nipah virus during the 1998 outbreak. As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded in 2020, the writer happened to chance upon some posts on Twitter, which discussed the fact that the country had endured numerous types of outbreaks.
"I learnt that in 1998 there was an outbreak in Malaysia, said to have originated from pigs," explains the writer, brows furrowing in recollection. Adding, he continues: "A local medical doctor was the one who discovered the source of the infection. I was so captivated by the story and really shocked that little had been written about this particular episode in the country's story."
The dearth of information proved challenging, with sparse newspaper articles and conflicting accounts in medical journals. Suffice to say, Dr Ismim faced the daunting task of reconstructing a coherent narrative from the fragments of historical records.
Despite foreseeing the challenges ahead, his curiosity had been piqued and there was no stopping the Sarawakian. The lack of written materials on the topic fuelled his determination to bring the story to life through fiction.
Armed with excerpts from a doctor's journal, Dr Ismim embarked on a six-month journey to create Nipah Nightmares. "That's the beauty of writing fiction," exclaims the author, elaborating: "To plug the many 'holes' (due to lack of information), I just used my imagination to create the 'players' in the story and the plotline."
BRINGING THE STORY TO LIFE
His self-taught approach to writing, coupled with a voracious appetite for storytelling, allowed Dr Ismim to seamlessly merge fact with fiction. His ability to fill the gaps in historical records with a compelling narrative is a good reflection of his dedication to both the craft of storytelling and the preservation of the country's medical history.
After an initial submission to Epigram's novel-writing contest, which proved unsuccessful, Dr Ismim turned to local publishers. Gerakbudaya Enterprise emerged as the platform to launch Nipah Nightmares.
Working closely with an editor, Dr Ismim refined his manuscript, addressing grammatical errors and local sensitivities surrounding the involvement of pigs in the storyline. A small playing on his lips, the writer confides that he envisions his novel as more than just a work of fiction; he's hoping that it will serve as a historical record for generations to come.
CHALLENGING TERRAIN
For me, the uniqueness of Nipah Nightmares lies in its seamless fusion of fact and fiction. Dr Ismim takes the reader on a journey through time, opening each chapter with quotes from real-life medical reports and government statements from the 1998 outbreak to set the scene.
This strategic interplay between historical facts and creative storytelling is a nice approach, providing readers with a visceral experience of the fear and uncertainty that gripped the nation during this mysterious outbreak, which resulted in 265 cases of acute encephalitis with 105 deaths and the near collapse of the billion-dollar pig-farming industry. Because it was initially attributed to Japanese encephalitis, early control measures were ineffective, and the outbreak spread to other parts of Malaysia and nearby Singapore.
The novel isn't merely a retelling of past events, but an exploration of the darker facets of human nature. The 33-year-old doesn't shy away from addressing unhappier topics, including the racial tensions that escalated during the outbreak.
Baseless accusations regarding the origin of the virus added another layer of complexity to an already dire situation. But Dr Ismim's narrative skillfully navigates this treacherous terrain, depicting the human condition in times of calamity.
BEYOND THE PAGES
As Nipah Nightmares enters the hands of readers, there are three key messages that the author hopes they'll carry with them. Firstly, the origin of the Nipah virus, named after the epicentre of Kampung Nipah in Malaysia, adds a fascinating layer to the mystery. The revelation that the virus might have originated from secret pig farms in the heart of the jungle amplifies the intrigue.
Secondly, Dr Ismim stresses on the need for Malaysian authorities to strengthen research facilities so there'd be swifter responses to future outbreaks. "The lessons from the past should guide the nation toward preparedness for potential health crises," he muses, voice low.
And the last message? A nod to the unsung heroes of the outbreak, in particular the contributions of Dr Chua Kaw Bing in tracing the origins of the virus. "Remember, when things don't make sense, there's always another side to the story. A small spark could emblazon the path to a huge discovery," he cautions sagely.
MAN BEHIND THE PEN
Beyond the pages of Nipah Nightmares, Dr Ismim emerges as more than just a storyteller. Born and raised in serene Samarahan, Sarawak, he confesses that life was pretty uneventful growing up.
His parents ran a kampung business, selling fish and operating food stalls. The young Ismim harboured the ambition of becoming a teacher, but was dissuaded from embarking on that path by his own teacher who told him that he was too good to settle for that, and instead to pursue the life of a medic.
Asked to share about his journey from medical books to works of fiction, Dr Ismim, the eldest of four siblings, beams again. His Sarawak lilt endearingly discernible, he proudly informs me that he's currently a Masters' student at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) studying pathology, and specialising in microbiology — the study of germs and viruses.
He was working as a medical officer at the Hospital Umum in Sarawak for two years before his life took a literary turn during his stint at the Klinik Kesihatan (Health Clinic), located in a remote area near Pulau Bruit, not far from Sibu.
Suddenly, Dr Ismim, whose favourite subjects at school were Maths and English, found himself in an undiscovered world, prompting him to delve into the works of local authors.
"I was the first doctor to be sent there," he recalls, chuckling at the recollection. Continuing, he shares: "Apart from my work, there wasn't much else to do there. So, I had a lot of time to myself. That's when I started reading more, writing poetry and exploring fiction-writing. After five years of immersing myself in medical books, it was so refreshing to be reading other things!"
The decision to write a novel stemmed from his love for poetry. "I'd been writing poetry for fun since 2010. Some of my work I'd send to the UNIMAS' (University of Malaysia, Sarawak) magazine," he shares, eyes lighting up with pride.
Elaborating, he adds: "I wrote about families, friendships… just simple poems. I wrote in my notebook, laptop and wherever I could pen my creations. I didn't really have a concrete plan about what I wanted to do with my writing. I just wanted to write!"
His early submissions to Anak Sastera, a free online literary magazine, marked the genesis of his exploration into fiction. The transition from medical officer to author unfolded organically, fuelled by a desire to share the stories he encountered in the medical field.
A chance encounter with Malaysian-born Indian poet, writer, editor, bibliographer, academic and critic, Professor Dr Malachi Edwin Vethamani's bibliography of Malaysian writers inspired Dr Ismim to submit his work to various publications. From his initial foray into the literary world with poetry and short stories, his canvas gradually evolved — to the world of novels.
ONGOING JOURNEY
As Nipah Nightmares takes its place on bookshelves, Dr Ismim's journey as an author continues. His submission of a novella to publishers PTS Bookcube, set in the realm of fantasy within the Malaysian landscape, reflects his diverse storytelling capabilities.
Asked about his strengths and weaknesses, Dr Ismim confesses to being easily distracted by anime and YouTube. "I think if I had to choose a strength, I'd say it's my ability to quickly turn ideas into stories. I don't like for my mind to be clogged with so many ideas. So, when I hear all these stories that my friends and people at work tell me, I'd immediately jot them down."
Adding enthusiastically, he says: "Inspiration for materials isn't difficult to come by. As a medical officer, I'm surrounded by real life stories. For example, when I was just a houseman, I used to hear all these weird stories from staff nurses, my colleagues. My mind was flooded on a daily basis!"
A voracious reader and collector of stories, Dr Ismim admits that he draws inspiration from his family, citing them as his biggest role models. His father's advice to work conscientiously and avoid inconveniencing others serves as a guiding principle in both his medical and literary pursuits.
In the world of Malaysian literature, he emerges as an interesting writer, blending medical knowledge with a storyteller's heart. In his maiden foray into fiction, he invites us all to confront the shadows of a forgotten outbreak, unravelling the mysteries that time had sought to bury.
Nipah Nightmares
Author: Ismim Putera
Publisher: Gerakbudaya Enterprise
Available at all major bookstores, from Gerakbudaya and online.