By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: The ninth edition of the Hadiah Sastera Darul Ridzuan (HSDR-9) continues to honour Perak’s literary heritage by recognising outstanding writers and quality works.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the state’s strong literary tradition was reflected through prominent figures such as National Laureate Datuk Dr Baha Zain, novelist Baharuddin Kahar, Perak State Laureate Siti Zaleha M Hashim, the late Malim Ghozali PK and the late Professor Emeritus Dr Abdul Rahman Napiah, better known as Mana Sikana, who was named the 16th National Laureate posthumously.
Speaking at the HSDR-9 Awards Ceremony at Galasa Caldwell here, Saarani said the awards served as an important platform to appreciate quality literary works and encourage new generations of writers.
He said literature played a vital role in shaping society’s values and preserving stories, experiences and changes that might not be captured through official records.
Saarani also said advances in digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) should be embraced as tools to support writers, while maintaining originality, creativity and human experience.
“Technology may help arrange words, but humans are the ones who give meaning to a work,” he said.
He added that Perak had many stories waiting to be explored, from its mining heritage and traditional communities to royal history and the lives of its people.
The state government, he said, would continue supporting the creative industry by strengthening collaboration between writers, publishers, educational institutions and industry players to bring local works to wider audiences.
