'Hibiscus And Plum Blossoms' will be launched on Sept 22 at the Formosa International Poetry Festival in Tamsui, Taiwan, before being presented at the George Town Literary Festival in Penang this November. Photo: Maya Press
Poets from Malaysia and Taiwan have converged in a new anthology, Hibiscus And Plum Blossoms: Contemporary Malaysian And Taiwanese Poems, a cross-cultural project where two literary traditions meet, intertwine, and reflect one another’s landscapes, histories, and inner worlds.
Published by Maya Press, the bilingual anthology – in English and Chinese – takes its title from the national flowers of both countries: Malaysia’s hibiscus, symbolising vitality, and Taiwan’s plum blossom, prized for its resilience. Together, they frame the collection as a meeting of cultures and a dialogue in verse.
This anthology also expands the literary connection between Malaysia and Taiwan, which first began with Mahua literature, the Chinese-language literature produced by Malaysian Chinese communities in Malaysia and Taiwan that first emerged in the 20th century.
'Hibiscus And Plum Blossoms' features works by 42 poets from Malaysia and Taiwan, with the cover illustrated by KL-based artist Jun Kit. Photo: Malachi Edwin Vethamani
The Hibiscus And Plum Blossoms anthology presents 42 poets, with works from 21 poets from each country. Poems that were written in English were translated into Chinese and vice versa.
It opens with poems by the late Lee Kuei-shien (1937–2025) of Taiwan and Wong Phui Nam (1935–2022) of Malaysia, both internationally recognised for their enduring contributions and central roles in shaping their nations’ poetic traditions.
The remaining 20 Malaysian poets span generations, from veterans like National Laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Haji Salleh and Cecil Rajendra to established voices such as Bernice Chauly, Malachi Edwin Vethamani, Shivani Sivagurunathan and Sheena Baharuddin.
Malachi co-edited the anthology with Taiwan-born poet Lo Te-chang Mike. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
The homegrown line-up also features newer and emerging voices such as Jack Malik, Vernon Daim, Yee Heng Yeh, Chloe Hor and Khayma Balakrishnan.
“This anthology is a meeting ground – different generations, different backgrounds, all shaping the sound of Malaysian poetry today,” said Jack Malik, who has spent over a decade connecting the indie literary scene in his hometown Ipoh with Kuala Lumpur.
While most Malaysian poets primarily write in English, Muhammad Haji Salleh, Jack Malik, and Sheena Baharuddin are bilingual poets, producing works in both English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Hibiscus And Plum Blossoms also includes voices from Sabah (Jerome Kugan) and Sarawak (Ismim Putera and Hazelynn Rimbar).
Jack Malik contributes two English works to this anthology, taken from his book, 'It Takes So Much To Be Nothing'. Photo: Nik Syazwan
Malachi, who co-edited the anthology with Taiwan-born poet Lo Te-chang (Mike Lo), saw the project as a chance to capture the pulse of contemporary poetry – not only in the capitals of Kuala Lumpur and Taipei, but also in other cities in both countries.
“The works in this collection represent a small fraction in poetic writing from Malaysia and Taiwan. We hope it becomes a good starting point for those interested in the creative energy in the two countries,” he said.
Malachi revealed the idea took shape during his participation in the Formosa International Poetry Festival in Tamsui, Taiwan, last year.
“Subsequent discussions with Te-chang on curating a bilingual translation edition of contemporary Malaysian and Taiwanese poetry resulted in the publication of this anthology,” he said.
Two works from the late Wong Phui Nam (1935–2022), including 'The Hidden Papyrus Of Hen-taui' from his 2019 collection, are part of the new anthology. Photo: The Star/Filepic
Malachi observes that the Malaysian poets bring a wide spectrum of themes to the anthology, from intimate reflections on gender, sexuality and family to broader explorations of environmental change, gentrification and colonial legacies.
“Both contemporary Malaysian and Taiwanese poets in this anthology reflect on issues that extend beyond the individual and personal. There is considerable interest in nature and the environment, and they express appreciation and concern for how our living spaces are being treated,” he said.
Featured Taiwanese poets - mostly from the Li Poetry Society - include Chang Su-mei, Chang Tai-chiung, Chen Hsiu-chen, Chen Ming-keh, Chien Jui-ling, Chuang Tze-jung, Fang Yaw-chien, Hsieh Pi-hsiu, Lee Chang-hsien, Lee Kuei-shien, Li Yu-fang, Lin Lu, Lin Sheng-bin, Lo Te-chang, Tai Chin-Chiou, Tsai Jung-yung, Tu Tung-men, Wang Ya-ru, Yang Chi-chu, and Yu Shu-hui.
Hibiscus And Plum Blossoms will be launched on Sept 22 at the Formosa International Poetry Festival in Tamsui, Taiwan, before being presented at the George Town Literary Festival in Penang this November.
