NEWLY-appointed Director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak, Dr Azizul Ismail, took time out to share his thoughts on the importance of keeping traditional stories alive, engaging the generation to come, and to ensure the national language remains a bridge of unity in a diverse, multilingual state like Sarawak.
In this exclusive interview with Sarawak Tribune, he revealed plans to modernise folklore, harness technology in this modern setting, while supporting Sarawak’s vision for a high-tech, inclusive future.
ST: Could you describe DBP Sarawak’s role in preserving Sarawak’s linguistic and cultural heritage?
Dr Azizul: DBP Sarawak functions as a language planning body and a guardian of cultural heritage. Our main tasks are to develop the national language and create its study, including efforts to compile and document ethnic languages.
One of our key priorities are to collect, transcribe, and eventually publish the rich oral traditions and folklore that exist among Sarawak’s diverse communities.
These stories are part of our shared wisdom, and preserving them means preserving the identity and values of the people.
ST: Why is folklore so important in language and cultural development?
Folklore reflects the intelligence, values and creativity of the earlier generations. It offers insights into how communities entertained, educated and guided themselves through storytelling before modern means existed.
By preserving these tales, we not only honour the past but also provide materials that can inspire and educate today’s youth.
Folklore can also be adapted, be it in books, cartoons, films or even digital content, to ensure these stories remain engaging and relevant. It’s through these stories that we nurture national pride and identity while supporting the survival of ethnic languages.
ST: How does DBP Sarawak plan to collect and preserve folklore today?
We will engage directly with communities, particularly in rural areas. Our teams meet with informants, often the elders of the communities, to share their stories. These stories will be recorded, transcribed and verified.
However, publication can be a lengthy process due to the need for careful review, but we are exploring digital avenues to release content more quickly before we make prints of these stories. For example, these transcribed stories can be uploaded to social media or digital platforms as part of our immediate dissemination efforts while we work on physical publications.
ST: Could you share examples of iconic Sarawak folktales that DBP is working on?
One of my personal favourite folklores is the legend of Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang, which teaches about friendship, conflict, and loss. Such stories are rich in moral lessons that are relevant today.
Currently, we’re also gathering Iban and Bidayuh folktales, among others, including true historical stories of heroism, such as those about Rentap and Datuk Patinggi Ali, which showcase the values of bravery and the struggle against external threats during the Rajah Brooke era. We believe that these stories can inspire today’s youth, especially when adapted creatively.
ST: Does DBP Sarawak plan to modernise folklore for broader appeal?
Yes, absolutely. We are keen to see these stories transformed into modern formats. Imagine a cartoon series or a graphic novel inspired by an Iban or Bidayuh folktale that resonates with children today, much like what Upin & Ipin has done in the Malay world. Such adaptations could start in Sarawak, then spread nationally, and perhaps even gain international recognition.
This is how we ensure that all these folklores live on, not as static relics, but as dynamic sources of cultural strength.
ST: Beyond folklore, how does DBP Sarawak promote the national language in such a multilingual state?
In fact, our main role is to strengthen the national language without erasing ethnic languages. The national language serves as a unifying tool, allowing communication across diverse communities.
Ethnic languages, in turn, enrich the national language by contributing unique terms and concepts. We promote inclusivity through programmes across Sarawak, not just in urban areas, but in rural areas like Belaga, where we can organise competitions and performances that encourage young people to master the national language while respecting their mother tongues.
ST: How does DBP Sarawak plan to engage with young people in language and cultural programmes?
We open our doors to young people who wish to express themselves creatively, be it through theatre, poetry, music, or storytelling. We will provide platforms for street musicians, spoken word artists, and others to showcase their talents using the national language. For example, we’ve introduced programmes like ‘Malam Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa’ (Evening of Language, the Soul of the Nation) to inspire pride and participation among the youth.
Our goal is to help them realise that the national language is something dynamic and relevant, not just as a subject in school.
ST: As the world modernises, what role does technology, particularly social media, play in DBP’s mission?
Many see social media as a threat to language preservation, but we see it as an opportunity. We will use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to share daily words, idioms, and even ethnic language terms.
We also plan to produce short films and other digital content to promote the national language and local folklore. We also invite young influencers, TikTokers, content creators, to collaborate with us. We welcome anyone interested in helping to spread the beauty and richness of our languages and stories.
ST: How does DBP support Sarawak’s vision of becoming a high-tech, advanced state by 2030?
We can contribute by translating and localising technical and scientific terms so that technological advancements can be understood by all, not just by an elite few.
Language is key to ensuring everyone shares in the state’s progress. We will work with universities and experts to produce materials in Malay that explain the aspirations and initiatives of the Sarawak government. This supports inclusivity and ensures that technology doesn’t widen the gap between communities.
ST: With the rise of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, how does DBP ensure the authenticity of Malay language use?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a tool, and we can’t and shouldn’t try to block technological progress. The key is to instil strong personal and cultural values so that people can continue to create original works through their own efforts and wholeheartedly.
We need to build this foundation from a young age, through programmes that encourage them to write, compose poetry, and storytelling in our own words. AI can be utilised to assist, but human creativity and sincerity are irreplaceable.
ST: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for DBP Sarawak over the next decade?
We aim to become an inclusive and people-friendly organisation. So, when people hear or see “DBP”, they will know that it is a place where they can stage plays, publish their work, or hold intellectual programmes.
We want DBP to be recognised as an outstanding, open government agency that will always support communities from all ethnical backgrounds in Sarawak.
I hope DBP Sarawak will truly become a centre for publishing, storytelling, and cultural activities, known as an institution that welcomes all communities and age groups with open arms.
When people think of DBP Sarawak, they should see us as a place where they can create, learn, and celebrate language and culture together as one unified community.
ST: Are there any messages you would like to convey to the people of Sarawak?
Don’t think of DBP as only for the older generation or just a place to read books. Our doors are always open, especially to the younger generation.
Whether you are a writer, musician, storyteller, or simply passionate about language and culture, you are more than welcome to come to us. If you want to recite poetry, hold a concert, stage a play, or perform on the street, our doors are always open. We have the space, facilities, expertise, and the commitment to help you cultivate your creative ideas.
Together, we can preserve and strengthen not only our national language but also the beautiful tapestry of Sarawak’s ethnic languages and stories. We don’t want the Malay language to disappear for lack of heirs, and its heirs are the young people.
