'Interlok' author honoured by Perkasa
After weeks of being at the receiving end of negative attention for his novel, national laureate Abdullah Hussein basked in the attention of an adoring public, even if it was from Malay rights NGO Perkasa.
After weeks of being at the receiving end of negative attention for his novel, national laureate Abdullah Hussein basked in the attention of an adoring public, even if it was from Malay rights NGO Perkasa.
A deputation for Perkasa led by president Ibrahim Ali (second from left) visited Abdullah (far left) at his home in Petaling Jaya today to express their support of him, and presenting him with the 'Jasa Pahlawan Negara' which is the second highest award that the organisation can give out, according to its constitution.
The national laureate received a sash bearing the words 'Jasa Pahlawan Negara', a replica of Perkasa's official keris or traditional Malay dagger, as well as a cash contribution.
The twenty or so Perkasa members were joined by family members as well as members of the press. Among those present was Abdullah’s wife Siti Saroja Basri, his brother and Gapena chairperson Ismail Hussein and his son.
The wheelchair bound Abdullah was wheeled out of his house to the front porch which served as the stage for the award ceremony.
The veteran writer was visibly touched by all the attention he was getting, smiling and enjoying himself despite being hard of hearing and having to communicate with his guests via written messages.
“Thank you, thank you,” he kept saying while smiling at the small crowd that gathered to honour him.
Ibrahim, accompanied by Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha and Perkasa Wirawati chief Zaira Jaafar, put the red sash on Abdullah and presented him with the replica Keris and cash award.
Abdullah's novel 'Interlok' which was chosen to be used in schools for study, has drawn fire from several Indian groups for its use of the word 'pariah', culminating in last week’s burning of the book.
Indian groups are saying that it is an insult to Indians while Abdullah and others contend that this is a historical fact without any racist undertones.
Perkasa's attention however, may draw yet more fire unto Abdullah as the Malay NGO did not waste the opportunity to inject their brand of 'Malay Rights' into the event with Ibrahim wielding his well documented Malay-centric rhetoric in a speech prior to presenting the award.
