MODERN MALAYSIAN LITERATURE: THE EARLY DAYS

Malaysian literature was brought about and developed as an  impact of printing press. Literary works such as novels, short stories and poems were being printed and published in great numbers and as such no longer restricted to the courts/palaces or to the rich . The government contributed in this development by setting up reading centres where printed books, newspapers and journals were shared widely in the community. 

besides the printed books, literature in the middle of the 19th century appeared in special columns in the newspapers. syair and pantuns were popular . translated news and features, printed mass media took over some of the functions of the traditional tellers of tales. 
there were special space for short story, ushering of literary modernism in the first decades of 20th century 1920-1930s. Attracted young talents who later grow to be important writers and novelists,

earliest novel entittled hikayat panglima nikosa by ahmad shwal.  one of eraliest tale about northwest borneo,  first published in 1876.


The Dawn of Modern Malay Literature.

 Abdullah munsyi came into the print age and wrote his work with idea that they were to be printed. His work were among the first to be published in Malaya and Singapore syair kampung gelam terbakar syair of the burning of gelam village 1847, hikayat pelayaran ke juddah, syair of the journey to jeddah 1820 and syair singapura terbakar. 1830. In 1838  Abdullah Abdul Kadir Munsyi  published  Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah ke Kelantan.  The book is considered as the first Malay   travelogue.

In 1849 Abdullah Abdul Kadir Munsyi   published a first memoir in Malay literature entitled  Hikayat Abdullah,  This,together with his travelogue Kisah Pelayaran Abdullah,  and some other tittles, carry clear authorship. They mostly contained his  observations and descriptions  of contemporary everyday events and happenings during his time, and much of his opinions and social critiques.  He spoke freely of what he considered as the injustices and   immoralities of  the rulers and royalties under whose rules the people (rakyat) were deprived of proper education.

Both of the books and several other tittles did  away with realm of superhuman princes and princesses. For this individualism and  realism, Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir Munsyi (1796-1854) is  considered as forerunner of modern Malay literature. The dawn of modern Malay literature is said to begin with him.

However, Abdullah did not have immediate followers. Development of modern Malay literature  was marked years later.

1913- The birth of modern Malay poetry, known as sajak with the publication `Angan-angan Dengan Gurindam` by Omar Mustaffa.  

1925-  The birth of novel in Malaya when the first Malay novel Faridah Hanom, by Syed Sheikh Al Hadi was published. Although the novel was an adaptation of Egyptian work, it  discussed social problems relevant to Malay society .

1925- The emergence of short stories mostly in newspapers and magazines. Newspapers regarded as important in the development of Malay short stories. Most short stories discussed local issues especially in exhorting the Malays to work towards progress and gain their rightful place in the advance of other races. Among famous writer was Abdul Rahim Kajai who was named “Father of Malay Short Stories”.

1929- Ahmad Rashid Talu  published his novel Kawan Benar. This novel had been accepted as the first original Malay novel with local Malay characters and Malay social background.

1930- The appearance of the first Malay women magazine, Bulan Melayu, under the leadership of Ibu Zain. The first issue was in June 1930. The magazines contributed much to the awareness of the importance of education for women.

1934- the publication of a short story by a woman writer, Hafsah, entitled Kesedihan Perkahwinan Paksa (The Misery of Forced Marriage) in a magazine, Pengasuh.

Later in the same year, a fiction entitled Waktu Isyak Menangkap Pencuri written by Siti Nurmah, was published.

1934, THE new form of poetry gained importance through the publications in Majalah Guru. A regular periodical of Sultan Idris Training Cillege in Tanjung Malim (SITC). SITC is noted for its contributions   in the  development of Malay literature.  Mohd Yasin Makmor (Punggok) has been name as a pioneer in Malay poetry.

1941- Novels written by women writers began to surface, after about 15 years after the first novel written by a man writer. The novels are  Panggilan Ibunda (1948) by Kamariah Saadon and Cincin Kahwin (Wedding Ring, 1948), by  Jahlelawati

 1950. The most significant event in the growth of Malay literature took place in Singapore, with the formation of ANGKATAN SASTERAWAN 50 or ASAS 50 on 6 August.  This Writers’ Movement thrived as the oldest Malay literary association and is still going on in Singapore today. It represented the voice of the Malay community with its slogan Seni untuk Masyarakat or Arts for Society.  Pioneers and leaders were well known writers and journalists Muhammad Ariff Ahmad, Kamaluddin Muhammad, Masuri S.N.