SPEECH FOR RADM (NS) LUI TUCK YEW, ACTING MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, AT THE LAUNCH OF “DARI JENDELA ZAMAN INI” (“FROM THE WINDOW OF THIS EPOCH”) ON MONDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2009, 6.45 PM AT THE BLUE ROOM @ THE ARTS HOUSE
Yang Berhormat, Dato' Dr Puad Zarkashi
Deputy Minister of Education, Malaysia
Mr Khair Ngadiron
CEO, National Translation Institute of Malaysia
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am pleased to be here for the launch of this anthology entitled “Dari Jendela Zaman Ini” (From the Window of this Epoch). This launch is a great platform to underscore the relationship between Singapore and Malaysia and the longstanding ties between our people.
2 I understand that the genesis of this project occurred at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2008, when the representatives from Singapore’s National Arts Council met with friends from the National Translation Institute of Malaysia and discussed the close literary ties between our two countries and how we can better strengthen our respective national literatures. This certainly shows the natural affinity for our literary bodies to work together towards a common goal.
3 The theme for the publication, “Relationship and Humanity” is focused on fostering the close and multi faceted connections between Singapore and Malaysia. There have been numerous exchanges and collaborations in music, dance, theatre, visual arts and literary arts between our countries In the Singapore Arts Festival, Malaysian groups like Mohram and Cahaya Bulan were featured and recently, Pak Ngah, a well known music composer shared his experience and skills at a Modern Ethnic Music workshop and Concert here in Singapore.
4 In the area of literary arts, we have been featuring Malaysian writers in the Singapore Writers Festival since its inception in 1986. These include prominent writers like distinguished National laureate, A Samad Said, Faisal Tehrani, Tash Aw and Tan Twan Eng in the last edition in 2007. This year, I am happy to see a strong line-up of Malaysian writers participating in the Writers Festival.
5 One of the Festival’s highlights was the “Sharing Borders” symposium held earlier today, where scholars and writers addressed the past and present connections of our two countries’ literatures. A two-volume book entitled “Sharing Borders: Studies in Contemporary Singaporean-Malaysian Literature” has just been launched in connection with the symposium.
6 We hope with the presence of Malaysian writers Baha Zain, KS Maniam, Wong Phui Nam, Lat, and of course Malaysia’s 2009 National Literature Laureate Dato Anwar Ridhwan, the audience will be able to reflect on the literary ties and interactions between Singapore and Malaysian authors and their writings.
7 The influence of Malaysian literature is also felt in a new generation of audiences here in Singapore. For example, the works of Muhammad Haji Salleh, Dato’ Anwar Ridhwan are currently being used as text in the Malay Language and Literature programme in our schools.
8 It gives me hope and confidence that the literary linkages between our two countries will continue to grow to benefit a new generation of writers. On this note, I wish all of you a good evening and to our friends from Malaysia, I hope you will have a wonderful stay in Singapore.
Thank you.
