KOTA SAMARAHAN: The recipients of the Premier of Sarawak’s Best Book Award 2022/2023 were celebrated at a well-attended ‘Author’s Talk’ (Bicara Karya) at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra (DeTAR), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) today, drawing more than 100 participants comprising university students, academics and literary enthusiasts.
The event spotlighted two distinguished writers, Datuk Dr Sanib Said, a leading Sarawak historian, and Emylin Badut, an officer from the Inland Fisheries Division, each recognised for outstanding contributions to knowledge and Sarawak’s heritage.
Sanib’s award-winning book, ‘Negeri Santubong dan Sejarah Awal Sarawak 300 ESS-1647 ES’, presents groundbreaking insights into Santubong as an early Malay polity with a structured administration, flourishing metallurgy, and port activity.
He also refers to traditional Malay manuscripts such as ‘Hikayat Datuk Merpati’ together with archaeological evidence and ancient Chinese trading records to support Santubong’s prominence in early history.
The prolific scholar, whose academic career spans Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and UNIMAS, has authored numerous historical works and supervised many graduates, strengthening Sarawak’s historical scholarship and cultural identity.
Meanwhile, ‘Empurau: Ikan Eksotik Sarawak’, co-authored by Emylin, highlights the biological sensitivity, long growth cycle and high-value conservation needs of the famed empurau fish, a species prized for its pristine habitat and strong cultural ties to Sarawak’s riverine communities.
Her book also documents traditional fishing knowledge and local ecological practices to ensure sustainability.
The session was moderated by Dr Dillah Tuah, dean of the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication, UNIMAS, who emphasised the importance of writing that bridges research and community knowledge.
Among those present were UNIMAS Press’ Director, Malia Taibi; Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak’s Director, Dr Azizul Ismail; and DBP Language and Literature Development Department’s Director, Abang Haliman Abang Julai.
The event received strong participation from students of UNIMAS, Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) and UiTM, reinforcing the ‘Author’s Talk’ platform as a vital intellectual space for the exchange of ideas on writing, knowledge and Sarawak’s cultural legacy.
Organised by UNIMAS in conjunction with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak, the initiative further supports Sarawak’s vision of promoting the creation of scholarly and creative works rooted in the state’s identity, heritage and environmental stewardship.
