The wife of the late dr abdul rahman napiah:waited recognition of his lifelong contributions to literature. Salmah Ali, 82, said the award was something the renowned literary figure had hoped to receive, given his extensive contributions to the nation's literary landscape.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Salmah Ali shared that her husband had been receiving literary awards since his school days and was informed of the possibility of receiving this prestigious literary award before his passing. "On the day he passed away, he was actually presenting a working paper for Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka before experiencing stomach pain and vomiting. He was taken to hospital that night," she recounted. Salmah expressed a mix of pride and sorrow as she attended the ceremony in his absence, acknowledging how much the award meant to him.
She shared these sentiments after receiving the award on behalf of her late husband, which was presented by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofia, Queen of Malaysia, at the award presentation ceremony. The event was also attended by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Salmah emphasized that Mana Sikana's passion for literature was not limited to writing. He was actively involved in producing television and radio dramas while pursuing an academic career that ultimately earned him the title of professor. "When we lived in Johor Bahru, he was actively producing drama works for Singaporean radio and television. Malaysian television also frequently aired his works, alongside his teaching commitments," she explained. Mana Sikana's academic journey included further studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), leading to a professorship, and serving as a visiting lecturer at universities in Indonesia.
Salmah also noted that her husband continued to share his knowledge of writing and literature with their four children and 12 grandchildren until his passing last May at the age of 80 due to heart complications. She expressed gratitude for the recognition of his contributions to the nation's literary development.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek highlighted Mana Sikana's selection as the 16th National Laureate as a testament to his significant role in strengthening national literature through creative writing, literary theory, criticism, and academic discourse. Born in Bagan Serai, Perak, on Oct 9, 1946, Mana Sikana began his career as a teacher before transitioning into academia, with tenures at UKM, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).