Hadijah Rahmat

This book is covered in two volumes and is based on author’s research conducted using unexplored primary sources at several missionaries' archives at SOAS, London, Houghton Library, University Harvard, Library of Congress, Leiden University, KITVL, Holland, and the Perpustakaan Nasional Indonesia, Jakarta. The book consists of numerous academic papers presented at the regional and international seminars, and also published in international journals and as chapters of books. Besides academic papers, the excerpt of play titled Munsyi, sketches, poetry, and song, and interviews by the national media are also included. This book provides new insights into Abdullah's life, backgrounds, writings, his influences and legacies and the reactions and thought-provoking views of the western and eastern scholars on Abdullah. The book is indeed the key reference for studies on Munsyi Abdullah, Malay literature, and the history of Singapore, Malaysia, and colonialism in Southeast Asia.
Buku ini meliputi dua jilid dan dihasilkan berdasarkan kajian penulis yang memanfaatkan sumber primer yang belum diselidiki dari beberapa arkib mubaligh di SOAS, London, Perpustakaan Houghton, Universiti Harvard, Library of Congress, Universiti Leiden, KITVL, Holland, dan Perpustakaan Nasional Indonesia, Jakarta. Buku ini mengandungi beberapa kertas kerja akademik yang telah dibentangkan di seminar-seminar serantau dan antarabangsa, serta diterbitkan dalam jurnal-jurnal internasional dan bab-bab dalam buku. Selain daripada kertas kerja akademik, petikan skrip teater berjudul Munsyi, sketsa, puisi, lirik lagu dan beberapa wawancara bersama media nasional turut disertakan. Buku ini memberikan sorotan baharu terhadap riwayat Abdullah, latar belakang, karya-karya, pengaruh dan legasi, dan reaksi serta pandangan kritis oleh sarjana Barat dan Timur tentang Abdullah. Buku ini adalah rujukan penting dalam kajian tentang Munshi Abdullah, Kesusasteraan Melayu dan sejarah Singapura, Malaysia serta kolonialisme di Asia Tenggara.

Diverse Languages, One Identity is a joint initiative between the National Institute of Education and National Library Board to help foster cohesiveness in Singapore’s multiracial community. This booklet aims to create an awareness of the spoken mother tongue among students and teachers and serves as a good platform to build understanding and respect among the various races in Singapore. This joint project based booklet has a collection of eight scenarios of a university student’s life at university (for eg. ordering food at the canteen, going to the library, meeting the lecturer, etc.). All scenarios have been translated, transliterated in four languages in print and recorded in voice form. A team of advisors and editors worked together with the NIE Trainee teachers and technological officers.

This paper discusses selected poems by three generations of Malay writers in Singapore from the first generation poets who received their vernicular education during British colonial period, before Malayan Independence in 1957; to second generation writers who received Malay education when Singapore was part of Malaysia, 1957-1965 who established their poems in 1970s; and the third generation writers who received bilingual education who began to make impacts when Singapore become a Republic in 1980s. These iconic poems embody the easthetic as well as the cultural and political values of Malay society. It is an early attempt to define and search for canon of Singapore Malay poetry.

Dr. Liaw Yock Fang, a scholar of Malay studies, passed away on 23rd April 2016. Dr. Liaw wrote an article on Malay language and literature in Chinese which was published in series in the Nanyang Siang Pau newspaper. He had also written in English about Malay and Indonesian literature in the magazine, Kesusasteraan Nanyang. Dr. Liaw Yock Fang taught at Nanyang University of Singapore from 1966 till 1981 and at the National University of Singapore from 1982-1996. After his retirement, Dr. Liaw continued to be active in studying literature and writing and produced more than 20 books and hundreds of papers, articles, book reviews or academic and general writings in the field of Malay and Indonesian studies. His writings and contributions are most prominent in three fields: classical literature studies, grammar studies, and Malay language textbook compilation for schools and reference books on Malay and Indonesian language for adults. The late Dr. Liaw Yock Fang was admired and respected by society and has left a wealth of valuable Malay works and materials.

Antologi ini merakamkan puisi-puisi dalam bahasa Melayu dan Cina, yang memaparkan karya-karya yang mewakili suara 30 penyair Cina dan Melayu yang terkenal. Profesor Leo Suryadinata (Mantan Pengarah Pusat Warisan Cina NTU) dan Hadijah Bte Rahmat (Ketua Kumpulan Akademik Bahasa dan Budaya Asia, NIE), editor bersama buku, telah mengenal pasti 15 penyair penting Cina dan Melayu dan karya mereka yang merakamkan perubahan Singapura dan rasa cinta penyair terhadap tanahair.

Buku ini adalah antologi kedua Hadijah selepas antologi pertama Di Tengah Alam (1998). Ini adalah lanjutan perjalanan dan renungan hidup selama 15 tahun sehingga usia 53 tahun dari tahun 1997 hingga 2011. Sebanyak 71 buah renungan ini disusun dalam 5 bahagian - Lagu Di Tengah Alam, Kristal Kasih, Jejak Pesisir, Bahtera Seni dan Kembara Alam. Hadijah gemar seni lukis dan seni foto. Beberapa lukisan minyak dan batik beliau disertakan dalam buku sebagai penglahiran rasa dan penghargaan kepada mereka yang telah menyumbang dalam hidup beliau. Selain puisi atau bingkisan kata, buku ini disulami dengan beberapa lukisan dan foto menjadi citra warna alam yang diharapkan menjadi pengucapan jiwa yang menyeluruh dan lengkap.