Now 90, A. Samad Said’s appetite for books, the written word burns as brightly as ever

'I hope I made meaningful contributions to my people and my country through my presence in this world. And if this has happened, I am content,' says A. Samad Said, who turned 90 in April. Photo: The Star/Filepic

National Laureate Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Samad Mohamed Said – better known as A. Samad Said, or simply Pak Samad to the literary masses – remains a towering yet approachable figure in Malaysian culture.

He was last seen on the big stage at the 2024 Merdeka Award ceremony in Kuala Lumpur last August, where he was among seven recipients honoured for exceptional contributions in their fields.