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PM: Extra RM5mil to preserve, manage local literary works

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has announced an additional allocation of RM5 million to preserve and better manage national literary works.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said of the total, RM3 million will be allocated for the management of Yayasan Karyawan, while RM2 million would be used to popularise local literature.

"Otherwise, local literary works would not be made a priority, and writers such as A. Samad Said, Datuk Dr Usman Awang, and Dr Muhammad Haji Salleh would not get the chance to popularise their works."

He told reporters this after launching the Sayr Al-Salikin and Hikayat Iskandar Zulkarnain books at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here today.

During the tabling of the 2023 Budget earlier this year, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, had announced a RM20 million allocation to DBP and the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books to promote translation and publishing activities.

Anwar said it was important to acknowledge local literary works, instead of spewing rhetoric about Malay supremacy but having no foundation of knowledge in the national heritage.

Earlier in his speech, he said the government would give its full support to ensure the survival of national heritage, traditions and values, and not just to strengthen the economy.

"The pillar of economic strength would not exist if there is no culture and language empowerment.

"It is also the Education Ministry's purview to popularise (literary works). We do not want these writings to only be in libraries and circulated among the elite," he added.

He also hoped to see at least 50 new titles of Malay literary works being published.

Also present during the launch today were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, DBP board of directors chairman Professor Datuk Seri Dr Awang Sariyan, and Yayasan Karyawan Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman.

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