KUCHING: Prolific writer Dr Abang Patdeli Abang Muhi has been honoured as the 6th Sarawak Literary Laureate at the 11th State Literary Awards ceremony.
The award was presented by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Alongside Dr Abang Patdeli, several Sarawak writers and creators were also recognised.
Jantan Umbat received the Special Language and Literature Award and the Sarawak Writer Award in the Language Category (Iban).
The Sarawak Writer Award in the Genre Category (Poetry) went to Abang Median Abang Said, while Jaya Ramba was honoured with the Sarawak Writer Award in the Genre Categories (Short Story and Novel).
Dr Dilah Tuah received the Sarawak Writer Award in the Genre Category (Critical Essay), and Lokman Hakim Abdul Wahid, along with Frankie Latit, were awarded the Sarawak Promising Writer Award.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee stressed that literary capabilities must be strategically optimised, allowing writers to become thought leaders with unique ideological stances.
“Writers must look toward the future with a mission to raise societal awareness about what lies ahead.
“They should leverage future thinking to develop paradigms and methodologies that shape a pluralistic civilisation marked by a dynamic and progressive universal outlook,” he said during his speech at the ceremony held at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building on Wednesday night (Oct 30).
Dr Annuar added that societal changes have given rise to Generation Alpha, or Gen-A, a generation expected to be more materialistic and tech-focused.
“The field of writing should be empowered to contribute alongside other fields in building our nation’s civilization,” he added.
Speaking with reporters, Dr Abang Patdeli expressed immense gratitude for the recognition, marking more than 40 years of dedication to literature.
He hopes the award will inspire younger writers, including recipients like Jaya Ramba, to continue striving for excellence.
“These young writers are poised for even greater achievements, as we see from an award given without regard to race,” he said.
Also present were Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Awang Asfia Awang Nassar, and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak Branch director Abang Haliman Abang Julai.
