Three Indonesian books received recognition in various categories at the Anugerah Buku ASEAN 2018 (ASEAN Book Awards 2018) held as part of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2018 on Monday.
Among the three books Hujan Bulan Juni (Rain in June) by Sapardi Djoko Damono, published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama, was awarded the best compilation book award.
Dilan-Dia Adalah Dilanku 1990 (Dilan-He Was My Dilan 1990) by Pidi Baiq, published by Dar Mizan was awarded in the best fiction category.
The third Indonesian book that received an award was Sang Pemimpi (The Dreamer) by Andrea Hirata, published by Bentang Pustaka which was awarded in the best adaptation book category.
The awards were given by head of Pembangunan Buku Negara Foundation, Tuan Haji Hasan Hamza, and president of Serba Dinamik Grup Sdn Bhd, Dr. Ir. Muhammad Abdul Karim Abdullah, and witnessed by chief secretary to the Malaysian government, Tan Sri Dr. Ali Hamsa.
At the same event, executive director of Pembangunan Buku Negara Foundation Zakry Sa’ed and Gemar Membaca Foundation chairman Firdaus Oemar signed a charter which marked the formation of the ASEAN Book Council.
“We signed the first charter as the beginning of the Indonesia-Malaysia ASEAN Book Council to be followed-up with more activities and meetings,” said Zakry as quoted by Antara News Agency.
Source : The Jakarta Post
