PUTRAJAYA: The government has allocated RM5 million to the Malaysian Institute of Translation & Books (ITBM) to ensure the continuation of more original works and hosting of programmes that can cultivate new writing talents including the 3rd Literature Awards next year.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who announced the allocation at the 2nd Literature Awards ITBM-PENA-BH hoped this effort would help enhance and stimulate national literature while developing the intellect and thinking of Malaysians.
"Literature is important to civilisation and looking at the success of the second Literature Awards, the government is pleased to make this announcement.
"Even tough there is positive growth in the national literature field, there won't be any glory if the society does not lift the Malay language to excellence of cultural thinking.
"I hope more writers will continue to write the 'painful truth' to drive society towards the truth instead of 'beautiful lies' that can steer them away," Muhyiddin said.
Muhyiddin then presented winners in the ITBM-PENA-BH poem, short story and novel competition at his official residence here at Sri Satria, Putrajaya, today.
The winners were Jong Chian Lai for his novel Ah Fook, Ahmad Fadhlil Mohamad Pakarul-Razy for his short story Pascasejarah and Muhammad Lutfi Ishak for his poem Dondang Pembukaan.
The award was organised by the ITBM, National Writers Association (PENA) and Berita Harian from May 1 last year to January 31.
A total of 611 manuscripts were received nationwide.
Present at the launch were Education department director-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Khair, ITBM Datuk Dr Sharuddin Md Salleh, PENA president Dr Mohamad Saleeh Rahamad and Berita Harian group editor Datuk Mahfar Ali.