KUCHING: MASTERA aims to elevate the literary community of the Nusantara region onto the world stage through stronger regional cooperation, research and literary development.
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) director-general and MASTERA Malaysia chairman Datuk Dr Hazami Jahari said throughout its three decades of establishment, MASTERA (Majlis Sastera Asia Tenggara) had played a role in coordinating important activities and conducting integrated literary research while strengthening cooperative ties among its member countries.
Every year, he said, MASTERA holds its conference on a rotational basis among member countries to coordinate planned activities, with Malaysia hosting the 30th Mastera Conference from Sept 23 to 24.
“Support in programme implementation, expertise and resource sharing reflects DBP’s continued commitment to making MASTERA a strong regional platform for empowering the language and literature of the Nusantara.
“Literature is not only a medium for the beauty of language and depth of thought, but can also serve as a bridge for diplomacy that strengthens ties among the peoples of the Nusantara region,” he said in his speech during the opening of the 30th MASTERA Conference and the presentation of the 10th MASTERA Literary Awards at a hotel here on Tuesday (Sept 22).
He said the awards provided regional-level recognition for high-quality creative and non-creative literary works by writers from MASTERA member countries.
He said this year’s recognition for non-creative works differed from the 2012 edition, when only one non-creative literary work was selected from all MASTERA member countries.
“This development reflects the spirit of togetherness that is among MASTERA ’s strengths. Each work carries the experiences, thoughts and worldview of its respective society,” he said.
The creative literary awards were presented to Brunei Darussalam for Pulang Kumbali Pulang by A. Hashim Hamid, Indonesia for Babad Kopi Parahyangan by Evi Sri Rezeki, Malaysia for Gunung Cha by Malim Ghozali PK, and Singapore for Senja Merah Puisi Esei Kisah Wak Cantok by Hartinah Ahmad.
For the non-creative literary category, the awards were presented to Indonesia for Politika Sastra, Ruang Diskursif Ideologi dan Imajinasi Politik Kebangsaan by Akhmad Taufiq, Malaysia for Biografi Sasterawan Negara: Keris Mas Melepasi Gerhana by A. Rahim Abdullah, and Singapore for Keberdayaan Bahasa Melayu by Pitchay Gani Aziz.
Each recipient received RM3,000, a DBP-published book, a plaque and a certificate of appreciation.
Also present were Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; DBP board member Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir, along with Brunei Darussalam MASTERA chairman cum acting director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei Darussalam Awang Suip Abdul Wahab; MASTERA Indonesia secretary cum secretary of the Agency for Language Development and Cultivation Dr Ganjar Harimansyah Wijaya; and MASTERA Singapore chairman cum deputy chairman of the Malay Language Council of Singapore Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee.
