Bandar Seri Begawan - Forum panellists at the 4th Brunei Literary Writers Convention yesterday called for advancing Malay literature and translating local writers‘ works in major languages.
Mohd Zefri Ariff, a Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) lecturer and literary writer, urged fellow writers to know about science, economy, history, mathematics, philosophy, politics "before you can effectively write about issues. This way you can attract readers from different backgrounds too.
"Knowledge in various subjects can be obtained by reading. By surfing the Internet you can read and interact with other literary writers of the world," he said.
Dayang Faridah bte Hj Abd Hamid, a literature teacher and a literary writer called for the strengthening of the translation institute by having professionals to translate the literary works of writers into various languages.
"It is time for the literary works of our writers, be read and analysed by foreigners so we can gauge the quality and excellence of our production," she said.
Forum panellist Hj Markandi bin Hj Kuris, an Education Officer with the Ministry of Education, called for the "universalising" of literature through cooperation of various agencies.
"Literature can be used to promote tourism, environment protection and others which can be an advantage for various agencies," he said.
Chaired by Rozaiman Makmun, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education, UBD, Dayang Faridah suggested to writers to find ways so readers understand their works, and have their works published in CDs and in the print media.
She hoped that newly published works would be discussed by critics. Hj Markandi said resolutions taken at conventions such as PSB4 must be implemented.
Deputy DBP Director Dayang Aminah bte Hj Momin said the agency forwarded resolutions taken from various conventions to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
She also said the decision to sell literary works of some writers at giveaway prices was meant for mass distribution of the publications within the reach of the general public.
"It is not meant to downgrade your works or to replenish old stocks but to offer them to the public at affordable prices," she said.
The convention will end this morning with an official closing ceremony to be officiated by Dato Seri Paduka Awang Hj Kifrawi bin Dato Paduka Hj Kifli, the Attorney General.
Source: www.brudirect.com (15 November 2007)
