KUCHING: Three schools under the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Adopted School Programme have received a special allocation of RM20,000 to implement activities focusing on language, literature and publishing.
The mock cheque presentation was officiated by DBP Board chairman and National Laureate Datuk Anwar Ridhwan during the Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa Night held in conjunction with DBP’s 70th anniversary celebration at a hotel here on Monday (June 22).
The recipients were SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg, SMK Agama Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab and SK Agama Abdul Kadir Hassan.
Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Wan Hashim Wan Rahim witnessed the presentation ceremony, which also included the handover of DBP-published books to the three schools.
The initiative reflects efforts to strengthen the mastery of the Malay language while nurturing students’ interest in literature and publishing.
Also present were DBP director-general Datuk Dr Hazami Jahari, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei acting director Awang Suip Abdul Wahab and Sarawak Education director Omar Mahli.
Meanwhile, the Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa Night featured poetry recitals and cultural performances as part of the DBP 70th anniversary celebrations.
Among the highlights were poetry presentations by Sarawak Laureate Dr Abang Patdeli Abang Muhi and Khalid Husseine Tuah, musical performances by students of Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, a dance presentation by Kumpulan Bitara Seri Openg, and folk song performances by Safar Ghafar.
The programme also featured performances by Pretty Nina and a traditional bermukun session by Kumpulan Sri Pangkalan.
The event formed part of the DBP 70th anniversary roadshow programme, which began in Daro, continued to Gedong and concluded in Kuching, with Sarawak serving as the host state for this year’s celebration.
