DBP, Yayasan Karyawan to get extra RM5mil allocation, says Anwar

Guests having a look at the newly-launch 'Sayr Al-Salikin and Hikayat Iskandar Zulkarnain' copy at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in Kuala Lumpur. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: An additional RM5mil has been allocated for Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and Yayasan Karyawan to increase efforts to publish literary works that will benefit the country.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said RM3mil would be given to Yayasan Karyawan while RM2mil is to help disseminate works by literary figures in the country.

"Yayasan Karyawan requested for RM3mil, I approved RM3mil for the foundation. I am also ready to add an additional RM2mil for the purpose of popularising the works of national literature figures," he said.

Anwar made the announcement while speaking at the launch of "Sayr Al-Salikin's Masterpiece and Hikayat Iskandar Zulkarnain" at Wisma DBP, here on Monday (April 17).

Also present were Education Minister Fadlina Sidek; DBP board of administrators chairman Prof Datuk Seri Dr Awang Sariyan and Yayasan Karyawan trustee Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman.

Anwar added those in the literature field must actively continue to find sources and materials to produce high-quality work that can be used as a reference in the future.

He said that Yayasan Karyawan also needs to play a role in popularising the work they have produced so it becomes a reference for the current generation.

"We don't want Yayasan Karyawan to just hang around with the elite who only fill their private libraries," he said.

He said in order to raise, develop and empower the nation as well, it should be based on the strength of language, literature and culture by churning out, unearthing and publicising its own nation.

"The pillar of strength is based on the strengthened economy, this is something we cannot dispute. The allocation given to the Yayasan Karyawan is an example of economic capacity.

"Economic strength alone cannot guarantee power to the nation and its civilisation without efforts to strengthen culture and protecting national treasures," he said.

During the Budget 2023 announcement in February, the government allocated RM20mil to DBP, Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books (ITBM) as well as Yayasan Karyawan to promote works of local writers.