SHAH ALAM, Sept 5th: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim criticised the arrogance of the Communications and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, for urging the withdrawal of National Laureate A. Samad Said’s title.
The PKR de facto leader, who was chairing the National Laureate selection committee, said the minister should understand the intricate selection procedures involved in a nomination prior to the reception of the award.
“The minister is quite arrogant and it is daft to assume that the award can just be withdrawn. He (Shabery) has never examined the process involved in the selection of National Literary Laureate award, but I have chaired the committee. The minister should understand that it (the process) is an effort of nominating the recipient based on the quality of their work, either poetry or prose. The nominee’s attitude and political stance are absolutely irrelevant,” he said.
He was speaking at a press conference after the launch of the book entitled ‘Behind the Brotherhood: The Reality of the World Strongest Political Movement‘, co-authored by Youseff Nada, the Muslim Brotherhood’s financial strategist, and Douglas Thompson.
A. Samad Said, popularly known as Pak Samad, is famous for his novels ‘Salina’, ‘Sungai Mengalir Lesu’, and more. He was awarded with the title in 1985.
Anwar is also demanding for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) to apologise to Pak Samad with regards to the police treatment during an inquiry about the controversy on Merdeka Eve on Friday.
“I am deeply upset by the police action. It’s not a question of doubting the law but a question of humanity. The police could have gone to his house during the day, at a time when he is available. I am asking the MOHA to apologise, and I appeal to the police to not continue working like that anymore. We respect the law, we understand the rights and responsibilities of the police but we also should acknowledge that there methods we should follow,” he said emphatically.
– FZL