Malaysia’s first female poet laureate started writing because she was not encouraged to speak as a child

Zurinah, who has written 22 books and goes by the pen name Haniruz, will take part in panel discussions with Malay-language writers at the Singapore Writers Festival this weekend. — Photo: ZURINAH HASSAN

Growing up in a village, Malaysian poet Zurinah Hassan was told she should be seen, not heard.

When she wanted to read, she was told instead to cook rice.