Yayasan S’wak -DBP collaboration could boost publishing sector - Adenan

Posted on November 13, 2010, Saturday

KUCHING: Yayasan Sarawak is ready to work closely with the Institute of Language and Literature (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka – DBP) to encourage the growth of the state’s literature and publishing industry.
Special Advisor in the Chief Minister’s Department Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem yesterday said such collaboration would be able to produce new and talented writers.
“Yayasan Sarawak has a scheme where they would sponsor half of the publishing cost for books that are related to the state in terms of tradition, cultures and history. For the past six years, the scheme has helped to publish many excellent books,” he said.

The chairman of Yayasan Sarawak was in response to the state DBP director Jiso Rutan’s request for financial assistance.
Jiso had earlier said the institute was unable to publish some quality books due to financial constraints.
“I believe that the support and assistance from Yayasan Sarawak would help spur the literature industry in the state,” he said.
Adenan, who was speaking at the presentation of a prize, Tinta Kenyalang 2010 DBP, at a hotel here, suggested to the DBP to publish a series of books related to the legends in the state.
Adenan pointed out that Sarawak was rich with legends especially in the coastal areas.
“The legends are not only rich in history but also very entertaining which I believe make them worth to collect,” he said.
Jiso said DBP would continue to organise more activities to discover potential writers.
A dialogue between DBP and writers would be held at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia Bintulu campus on Nov 26 and 27 when literary issues would be discussed, Jiso said.