WRITERS MUST SERVE AS MODERATING VOICES TO CURB EXTREME POLARISATION - DPM FADILLAH

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Writers and literary figures must serve as moderating voices in society by delivering measured criticism and offering constructive alternative thoughts to curb extreme intellectual and emotional polarisation, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.

He said that in every era, writers serve as thinkers, social observers and drivers of public discourse.

“They do more than record reality. They interpret change and give meaning to the nation’s social journey,” he said at the prize presentation ceremony of the Creative Writing Competition organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here today.

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Also present were National Laureate cum DBP Board of Governors chairman Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan, and director-general Dr Hazami Jahari.

Elaborating, Fadillah said that literary works are not merely creative expression but play a vital role as a medium for thought and an intellectual vehicle, honestly and meaningfully recording the pulse of society, current challenges, and future aspirations

The deputy prime minister said that literature is significant in shaping individuals who are thoughtful, ethical, and possess strong self-identity, besides functioning as a historical record of events, ideas, and anxieties of the time to guide future generations.

“However, we now live in a world saturated with information that is easily accessible, but not all of it is authentic. The flood of unfiltered information, particularly on social media, demands that the public be wiser in evaluating, considering, and distinguishing between truth and falsehood,” he noted.

In an era of rapid technological change and borderless connectivity, Fadillah said human development faces growing complexity, making it essential to prioritise cultural and value-based grounding.

National progress, he stressed, cannot be measured by material gains alone, but must rest on strong values, critical thinking and national character, echoing the late Tun Abdul Razak’s emphasis on unity and human development as the foundation for the nation's survival.

In line with the Malaysia MADANI agenda, he said language and literature are key to building a thoughtful, civil and cohesive society grounded in tolerance and mutual respect.

He added that the government remains committed to strengthening the creative writing ecosystem by nurturing new talent, expanding publishing opportunities, enhancing public appreciation of local works and leveraging digital platforms to reach wider audiences, especially younger generations.

-- BERNAMA