YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah last night attended the 14th National Literary Award ceremony in Kuala lumpur.

The king and his wife, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, were greeted upon their arrival by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik.

Present at the event were Deputy Education Minister Teo Ni Ching and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Abang Sallehuddin Abg Shokeran.

Maszlee introduced the recipient of the 14th National Literary Award, Professor Dr Siti Zainon Ismail, to the king and queen.

The Agong presented the award to Siti Zainon, making her Malaysia’s 14th national laureate.

Siti Zainon, in her speech, said unification through the national language should be emphasised.

She urged Bahasa Malaysia to be used in posters, signage and advertisements, as well as for it to be prioritised in presentations, seminars and international dialogues.

The author and cultural arts researcher was chosen for the award due to her contributions to the development of literature.

She has written three novels, 25 poetry collections, nine short-story collections and 20 essays on literary research. – Bernama, September 22, 2019.