KUCHING: Persatuan Karyawan Sastera Sarawak (Pekasa) feels that there is a need to set up an Arts and Literature Council.
Pekasa president Jaafar Hamdan pointed out that the development of arts and literature in Sarawak was currently in limbo.
“We are concerned about the impact of modernisation on literature. Setting up of this council will be relevant in moving Sarawak towards its digital transformation agenda,” he told reporters when met at the 9th Gathering of Literature and Poetry experts at Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka Sarawak (DBP) here recently.
“From our perspective, it is fundamental for the state government to really develop literature.
“What the public don’t realise is that it is critical to learn literature. The world today needs to understand morality and value.
“Literature plays a big role – to humanise humans,” he stressed.
Noting the Ministry of Education’s plan to abolish the streaming system for secondary schools, Jaafar said while he lauded the move, the learning of literature should be made compulsory.
“The Education Ministry needs to implement a new plan to replace the streaming systems.
“In my view, learning arts and literature should be for all because it helps to inculcate in the young ones love for the nation, culture and environment.
“The fact that literature has been engrained in our life shows that it is about how we conduct our routine in every aspect. That is why literature should not be seen as a singular form,” he added.
