EARLY encouragement and sustained exposure to literature and the arts are important in shaping students’ creative trajectories, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said the government remains committed to strengthening Malaysia’s literary ecosystem not only through recognition, but also by nurturing talent from a young age so that creative potential can be identified, guided and developed early.
“Early exposure plays a defining role in shaping future writers. It points to how formative experiences can influence long-term creative output and intellectual growth.
“Writers do not emerge overnight. Their journeys begin early, and must be nurtured consistently through the right ecosystem, guidance and recognition,” she said during the National Laureate (Sasterawan Negara) Award ceremony in Putrajaya on April 28.
She added that this is why a new mentor-mentee programme involving national laureates will be introduced to nurture young writers from an early stage.
Fadhlina stressed that the initiative, carried out with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and the literary committee, would help strengthen the authorship ecosystem and produce more writers.
“This is very important because it allows us to cultivate talent from a young age in a more consistent way, guided by the national laureates themselves.
“The works of our literary figures are already disseminated in schools and teacher training institutes, but more importantly, we must ensure these works continue to live within society,” she said.
Fadhlina also noted that national laureates are recognised not only for their literary achievements, but also for their deep engagement with social, economic and educational issues, making them close observers and representatives of the people’s voice.
“These individuals elevate thought, national civilisation and the priority of language. The mentor-mentee programme re-emphasises these priorities,” she said.
At the ceremony, national literary scholar and thinker Dr Abd Rahman Napiah, better known as Mana Sikana, was named the 16th National Laureate, the country’s highest literary honour.
Fadhlina said the selection was based on his reputation as a prolific writer who consistently produced high-quality creative works throughout his career.
“His works are known for their critical thought, humanistic values and sensitivity to social realities, as well as bold and innovative approaches that enriched modern Malay literature,” she added.
Beyond creative writing, Fadhlina said Abd Rahman also contributed extensively to literary theory, introducing concepts widely referenced by scholars and students.
She added that his contributions continue to be recognised even after his passing on May 26 last year, as the award is based on lifetime achievement, with the Cabinet approving amendments on Jan 30 this year, allowing posthumous consideration.
