A. Samad Said
Abdul Samad Said | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 9, 1935 Belimbing Dalam, near Durian Tunggal, Malacca, Malaysia |
| Occupation(s) | Poet, novelist, writer |
| Years active | 1950s–present |
| Known for | Malaysian literature, Pejuang Sastera, Sasterawan Negara |
Abdul Samad bin Mohamed Said (born 9 April 1935) is a distinguished Malaysian poet and novelist. In May 1976, Malaysia's literary circles honored him with the title Pejuang Sastera (Literary Exponent). He was awarded the Southeast Asia Write Award in 1979 and later, in 1986, received the prestigious Sasterawan Negara (Malaysian National Laureate) recognition for his outstanding influence on the country's literary tradition, especially in Kesusasteraan Melayu.
Education
Originating from Belimbing Dalam, a village near Durian Tunggal in Malacca, Abdul Samad completed his primary schooling during World War II at Sekolah Melayu Kota Raja in Singapore. During the Japanese occupation, he briefly attended Sekolah Jepun. After the war ended, he graduated from Victoria School in Singapore in 1956 with a Senior Cambridge Certificate. Initially employed as a hospital clerk, he soon transitioned to a full-time writing career, contributing to publications such as Utusan Melayu, Warta Tebrau, and Berita Harian.
Achievements
- Pejuang Sastera (1976)
- Southeast Asia Write Award (1979)
- Sasterawan Negara (1985)
- Sasterawan Nusantara (1999)
His poem "The Dead Crow" was part of Malaysia’s lower secondary English literature syllabus between 2000 and 2009. A study involving 360 students revealed that 2.8% found it the most challenging poem to comprehend.
Works
A. Samad Said's body of work encompasses novels, short stories, poetry, essays, dramas, and articles. Among his prominent novels is Salina, which portrays the life of a prostitute during pre-Independence Malaya. Another significant piece is Hujan Pagi (Morning Post), often regarded as Malaysia’s pioneering magical realism novel. His collections include Suara Dari Dinding Dewan (2003), Dirgahayu Dr. Mahathir & Rindu Ibu (2004), and Ilham Di Tepi Tasik (2006). He has also written under pseudonyms like Hilmy and Isa Dahmuri.
- Salina. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1961; revised editions released in 1976 and 1989 featuring New Rumi Spelling.
- Translated into Japanese (1983), Korean (1987), English (1991, 2013), Chinese (1992), French (1997), and Spanish (2014).
- Bulan Tak Bermadu di Fatehpur Sikri. Published in Malacca by Toko Buku Abbas Bandong in 1966; reissued in Subang Jaya in 1982.
- Sungai Mengalir Lesu. Kuala Lumpur: Pustaka Gunong Tahan, 1967; later edition by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 1988 using Jawi script.
- English version titled Lazy River appeared in 1981.
- Chinese translation named Yōuyōu héshuǐ published in 2014.
- Additional works include poetry collection Benih Harapan (1973), novels like Di Hadapan Pulau (1978), Langit Petang (1980), and Daerah Zeni (1985).
Other notable titles are Benih Semalu, Daun Semalu Pucuk Paku, Warkah Eropah, Al-Amin, Suara Dari Dinding Dewan, Hujan Pagi, Lantai T Pinkie, Wira Bukit, Adik Datang, and Cinta Fansuri.
Activism and political views
In 2009, Abdul Samad Said joined forces with four literary figures to campaign against PPSMI—the policy of teaching Mathematics and Science in English—in Malaysian secondary schools, aiming to safeguard the prominence of the Malay language.<ref> He also took part in an anti-PPSMI demonstration near the Malaysia Royal Palace where a memorandum was submitted.<ref>
He co-led the Bersih 2.0 rally alongside Ambiga Sreenevasan in 2011, advocating for transparent and fair electoral processes in Malaysia.<ref> During this period, he authored "Unggun Bersih" (Cleansing Fire), a poem that prompted a police sedition inquiry.<ref> Frustrated by the slow pace of reform, he supported the Bersih 3.0 rally in 2012 and composed poems expressing dissatisfaction with restrictions imposed during the event.<ref>
Ahead of the 2013 Malaysian general election, Samad Said openly endorsed the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition as a means to end Barisan Nasional’s long-standing governance. He criticized BN’s tactics involving racial politics and vote-buying while expressing confidence that PR would enhance healthcare, education, and democratic institutions.<ref> Furthermore, he regarded Chin Peng not as a communist insurgent but as a freedom fighter deserving repatriation due to his anti-colonial stance.<ref>
On 13 June 2015, Abdul Samad Said officially joined the Democratic Action Party (DAP), describing it as a "genuinely Malaysian party that is clean, focused, and embodies an authentic Malaysian vision".<ref>
Personal life
A Samad Said's spouse, Salmi Manja, died on 26 December 2023 at the age of 86.
Malaysian Honours
-
- Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DGPN) – awarded the title Dato' Seri in 2017
-
- Companion Class I of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DMSM) – received the title Datuk in 1996
See also
- Mass media in Malaysia
- Abdul Rahim Kajai
- Abdul Samad Ismail
- Aziz Ishak
- Ishak Haji Muhammad
- Said Zahari
- Usman Awang
- Yusof Ishak