KOTA BARU: Reciting poems in fluent Bahasa Malaysia in connection with Malaysia's 67th Independence Day holds the sweetest memories for Chu E. Liang.
The 60-year-old poet of Kampung Joh, Machang, has been reciting the poems at several programmes held in the state since early August.
"As a Malaysian and a non-Malay, of course, l am proud to be given the chance to recite poems during Merdeka and Malaysia Days.
"I have been reciting poems since five years ago, not only in the state but also at various programmes at the national level.
"Reading poems in Bahasa Malaysia is a great honour for me, especially during these two significant days for Malaysia, " said the father of two.
Apart from reciting the poems, the self-employed said he also composed poems, some of which have been published.
"Some of the poems that l composed were based on experiences especially when l visited other states. The experiences were valuable and l had to try and preserve the moments. Hence, l decided to turn them into poems," he added.
E. Liang, who is a member of the Kelantan Writers' Association, said his poems also attracted the attention of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.